A.J. Longsoldier
A.J. Longsoldier, an 18-year-old from the Hays-Lodgepole area who led his high school basketball team to a state championship in 2007, died in November 2009 while held at the Hill County Jail in Havre, Montana. He was taken to Northern Montana Hospital on November 21, returned to the jail, and was taken back to the hospital the next day, where he died. An autopsy found he died from the effects of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome. His estate, through attorney Patrick Flaherty, alleges that jail staff and hospital providers failed to recognize and treat his withdrawal, and that he was sent back with prescribed medications that were never filled. The hospital settled with the estate in 2011, and the claims against Hill and Blaine counties are disputed.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). The autopsy found acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and his estate's attorney says jail staff and hospital providers failed to recognize and treat it, with prescribed medications never filled, while both counties dispute the claims.
Reported by: autopsy and coroner's inquest (medical examiner or coroner); his estate, through attorney Patrick Flaherty (family or their lawyers); news report.
Lawsuit: His estate sued Hill and Blaine counties over his care, and the hospital settled with the estate in 2011 for an undisclosed amount, while a 2014 court ruling vacated a $1.35 million judgment against the counties.