Kayla Turley
Kayla Turley was 32 and a Choctaw Nation citizen, described by her family as a livewire who was always happy, devoted to her young son, and fond of spending time outdoors. She died in August 2023 while held at the Garvin County Jail in Oklahoma, after being hospitalized several times in her final days. Her family says she had a fever, headaches and painful knots and told them no one was listening to her. Federal prosecutors say jail staff ignored her worsening medical condition, and a federal jury convicted a former detention deputy, with four other former deputies and a former nurse pleading guilty; the family's civil rights lawsuit against the sheriff's office is ongoing.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The autopsy attributed her death to multi-system organ failure from hepatitis of unknown cause and left the manner undetermined, while federal prosecutors say jail staff ignored her medical needs and other detainees assaulted her, and her family says staff ignored her pleas for help.
Reported by: autopsy report; U.S. Department of Justice (outside investigators); Kayla Turley's family and their attorney Dan Smolen (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Garvin County sheriff's office and others after her death at the Garvin County Jail, and the case is ongoing with no settlement reported.
Sources (7)
- Garvin County jail officers, nurse indicted after inmate's death
- 6 former and current Garvin County jail staff indicted for civil rights violations
- ‘Help me’: Feds charge 6, DA charges 2 in Garvin County Jail death
- Ex-Garvin County correctional officer convicted by federal jury for role in inmate’s death
- Federal jury convicts ex-Oklahoma jail deputy in detainee’s death, civil rights case
- Former Garvin County Jail Deputy found guilty in the death of inmate
- "She was mocked and she was tormented" | Family speaks after federal convictions in Garvin County Jail death