Jessica Gorkiewicz
Jessica Gorkiewicz, 29, died in late April or early May 2019, two days after giving birth by emergency C-section while she was held at the Duval County jail in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said the death was not suspicious, and the Medical Examiner ruled it natural. Her father, Mark Gorkiewicz, said fellow people held at the jail told him of a pepper spray incident and that she had breathing problems before being taken to the hospital hours later, and he said the sheriff's office has not answered those questions. He described his daughter as more than the troubles that brought her there, and said her newborn, who weighed about 3.5 pounds, was in intensive care at UF Health Jacksonville and was doing remarkably well.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The Medical Examiner ruled the death natural, but her father says fellow inmates told him she had breathing problems hours before staff took her to the hospital, and that a pepper spray incident occurred, questions the sheriff's office has not answered.
Reported by: Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (the agency that held her); her father.