Frank Smart
Frank Smart, 39, was a father of nine from the Hill District, and his family says he was devoted to his children and involved in all of their lives. He was held at the Allegheny County Jail in January 2015, and his family says he did not receive his seizure medication on time or in full. According to the family's lawsuit, he had a seizure that night, staff restrained him face-down for about 40 minutes, and he stopped breathing before being taken to UPMC Mercy, where he died shortly after midnight on Jan. 5. The medical examiner's office said he died of a seizure and that being restrained face-down was a contributing factor, while county and jail officials said he was treated appropriately. The family settled with the county for $950,000.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled a seizure the cause, with face-down restraint a contributing factor, while the family's suit says jail staff restrained him face-down for about 40 minutes and did not give him his seizure medication on time or in full.
Reported by: Medical examiner's office (medical examiner or coroner); Family's wrongful death suit and attorney George Kontos (family or their lawyers); Federal Magistrate Judge Cynthia Reed Eddy's July 2017 report (court).
Lawsuit: His family sued in connection with his death at the Allegheny County Jail, and the family settled with the county for $950,000.