Investigation Underway After Woman Died Following Medical Emergency While Being Arrested for Trespassing
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (December 28, 2024) – A woman has tragically died after being arrested for allegedly trespassing at a property in Sacramento County.
Sacramento County officials are saying that the incident took place on November 16 on the 3600 block of Fulton Avenue. The police gave the woman a trespassing notice.
Around 7:00 a.m. the following morning on November 17, police responded to a call about the same woman. She was allegedly in a car on the property and refusing to leave.
Around 11:30 a.m., police came back to the property and found the woman still there. She was placed in handcuffs following a struggle.
Shortly after that incident, she became unresponsive. The woman was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead on November 24.
A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.
Legal Considerations for In-Custody Deaths
Thousands of people are seriously injured or killed in police custody every year in the United States. Women have increasingly become the victims of police brutality. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, “Women accounted for an alarming 31% of all people experiencing the threat or use of force by police, and over half of women (51%) who experienced threat or use of force in their most recent police interaction reported that such conduct by police was “excessive,” a result which is up a significant 8 percentage points from the last survey in 2018.” It is important that police departments take certain steps to avoid collisions.
- Police departments should train their officers to de-escalate encounters.
- Police officers should be trained to understand when a person is going through a mental health crisis.
- Police officers should be equipped with less-lethal options other than their tasers.
All police officers have a legal obligation to use the least amount of force necessary for any given encounter. Pursuant to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of any statute, law or ordinance, causes a citizen of the United States to be deprived of their rights secured by the constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. If a person is going through a drug overdose or a mental health crisis, they are more likely to be killed or injured by police force. There are a number of signs that a person may be going through a mental health crisis.
- A suspect may display extreme or erratic behaviors.
- A suspect may display disorganized speech or thinking.
- A suspect may appear excessively anxious or agitated.
Police departments should have teams of officers that specialize in dealing with mentally ill suspects. But in far too many situations, poorly trained officers are the ones that respond to these types of calls. It is therefore not surprising that many of these encounters result in use-of-force incidents. The family of any person who died in police custody may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating Sacramento County In-Custody Deaths
We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the woman who died in Sacramento County. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. This was a tragic incident that should not have taken place.
Do you need more information about a Sacramento County in-custody death? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that police officers are held accountable for their excessive force. 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
