Anthony Talotta
Anthony Talotta was 57. After his mother, Lena Talotta, died, his cousin Tina Talotta promised to look after him, saying, "I said, 'I'll take care of Anthony.'" In September 2022 he was hospitalized after a pot of boiling water fell on him at his group home, and he was later taken to the Allegheny County Jail. His family says he developed a serious foot infection and septic shock and was released from custody while dying in the hospital, and he died on September 21, 2022. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner ruled his death natural, citing hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, while his family's federal lawsuit alleges that jail medical staff provided substandard care.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled the death natural from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but his family's federal lawsuit alleges substandard care by jail medical staff, including for a serious foot infection that led to septic shock.
Reported by: Allegheny County Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); his family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a federal lawsuit alleging that jail medical staff provided substandard care before his death.