Dezaree Archuleta
Dezaree Archuleta was 18 and had a history of mental health diagnoses and suicide attempts when she was booked into the El Paso County Jail in May 2022. She died by hanging in her cell on June 9, 2022, after about 23 days there. Her mother, Shelly Romero, described her as a people pleaser who was caring toward others and told her every day that she loved her. The family's federal lawsuit says Wellpath medical and mental health staff ignored her repeated pleas for help and her statements of suicidal intent, and that she was removed from suicide watch shortly before she died; the mother believes she would still be alive had she stayed on watch. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office settled with the family for $1 million in February 2024, and Wellpath did not respond to requests for comment.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). The sheriff's office said deputies found her hanging in her cell, and her family's lawsuit says Wellpath medical and mental health staff ignored her repeated pleas for help and removed her from suicide watch before she died.
Reported by: El Paso County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held her); her family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her family sued Wellpath and others over her death, and El Paso County settled the claims for $1 million in February 2024.
News reports (6)
- El Paso County Sheriff's Office reaches $1 million settlement with family of deceased inmate
- Medical staff at El Paso County jail ignored "constant" pleas for help from inmate who died by suicide, lawsuit alleges
- Federal lawsuit over 18-year-old’s death in El Paso County jail ‘filed to send a message’
- Mother of inmate who died by suicide at El Paso County Jail hopes federal lawsuit will hold medics accountable
- Documents allege El Paso County inmates suffered death, major injuries from negligence
- Documents allege El Paso County inmates suffered death, major injuries from negligence