pexels-rdne-stock-project-6519848Michael Stumbaugh III (Full Name: Michael Loren Stumbaugh III), 33, Died In Kern County Sheriff’s Office Custody At Lerdo Justice Facility 

BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA (November 12, 2024) – A 33-year-old inmate identified as Michael Stumbaugh III has tragically died in custody at the Lerdo Justice Facility in Bakersfield.

Kern County officials are saying that the incident took place around 1:00 a.m. on October 18. Jail officials are saying that Michael Stumbaugh III was found unresponsive in his cell.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the inmate. Despite life-saving measures, Michael Stumbaugh III was later pronounced dead.

A full investigation into the death remains ongoing at this time.

Legal Considerations For Kern County Inmate Deaths

Thousands of inmates die in custody every year in the United States. According to the National Institutes of Health, “On average, about 1.40 deaths occurred annually per 1,000 incarcerated people. About 0.62 deaths per 1,000 incarcerated people were illness-related deaths, 0.53 were suicides, and 0.15 were acute drug- or alcohol-related deaths. Accidents or homicides were less common (0.03 deaths each).” There are a number of common causes of inmate death.

  • Suicide
  • Drug overdoses
  • Drug withdrawal
  • Homicides
  • Heart attacks

Jails have a legal obligation to provide adequate care for all inmates. This includes medical care for physical and psychological health needs. This should begin when an inmate is first admitted. Jail officials will typically need to perform periodic health checks on inmates to make sure that they are alright. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is important that certain steps are taken after any inmate death.

  • Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
  • Medical records should be preserved.
  • Surveillance footage should be sought.
  • The actions of jail officials should be understood.

It can be hard to know where to begin after any inmate death. Jails will often do everything that they can to deny liability for any death in their care. This is why it is important that evidence is properly preserved. In many cases, medical neglect will contribute to an in-custody death. The family of any inmate who died in custody may have legal recourse through a civil claim.

Investigating Kern County Inmate Deaths

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of Michael Stumbaugh III. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Kern County inmate death? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.

 

legal disclaimer
Legal Disclaimer