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Grand Jury Releases Report on 2015 Jail Death of Krista DeLuca; Family Sues County
In June, the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury released its report on the death of 23-year-old mother Krista DeLuca, who died in the main jail on September 29, 2015. (see PDF file) Shortly after the release of the Grand Jury report, DeLuca's family filed a civil lawsuit against the County of Santa Cruz. (see PDF file) Besides the County, the lawsuit lists as defendants the Sheriff's Office, Sheriff-Coroner Jim Hart, Under-Sheriff Jeremy Verinsky, Chief Deputy Jeff March, Lieutenant Kelly Kent, and California Forensic Medical Group, Inc. (CFMG), as well as a list of unspecified "John Does". The Grand Jury report calls for a new independent contractor to oversee medical services at the main jail, and despite its multiple recommendations for major changes to jail policies and procedures, the county responded by indicating they still planned to renew their contract with CFMG. In August, the Santa Cruz-based organization Sin Barras called for the County Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff’s Office to take action and to implement the Grand Jury’s recommendations. (Photo: Krista DeLuca in 2013)
"For the third consecutive term, the Grand Jury is compelled to investigate yet another death at the Main Jail. There have been six deaths since October 2012," the Grand Jury report begins.
"The tragic death of this young woman comes as the Sheriff-Coroner and Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors are in the process of selecting a new medical services provider. The 2012–2016 provider is California Forensic Medical Group, Inc., whose existing contract began shortly before the first of these deaths."
"The tragic death of this young woman comes as the Sheriff-Coroner and Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors are in the process of selecting a new medical services provider. The 2012–2016 provider is California Forensic Medical Group, Inc., whose existing contract began shortly before the first of these deaths."
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Sin Barras believes County Health Services Agency should run the jail medical service? They barely accomplish CIVILIAN medical services.
I totally agree with you on this RR! The county used to be better; now it is terrible! I have seen how they treat patients now, horrifying. They got rid of the GOOD doctors and replaced them with incompetent and uncaring doctors. Thank gawd I moved to PAMF about 5 years ago!
Recently my Take Back Santa Cruz cyber-stalker alerted me that a local homeless person was being tortured in the SCSO Main Jail on Water Street. I called them out and SCSO Sgt. Cleveland busted her out, saving her life. The SCPD was criminalizing her boosting her bail on bogus charges so the SCSO jail staff could torture her with solitary confinement and sleep deprivation. Now the feds are investigating this.
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