Max Gracia
Max Gracia was 22 and held at the Orange County Jail in Florida in August 2015, four days after a police dog bit him during his arrest. His mother, Willine Gracia, has described him as someone who loved his dogs, went to church faithfully and was the life of the party, and who held a prayer meeting every night for the people on his floor. The family says jail medical staff failed to give him adequate care as his wounds became infected, and their federal lawsuit alleges deliberate indifference. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, citing septic shock from infected dog bite wounds, and the county says it reviewed the care and took personnel and training steps.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from septic shock from infected dog bite wounds, and his family's federal lawsuit says jail medical staff failed to give him adequate care and left him in pain while the wounds became infected.
Reported by: Orange County Medical Examiner's office (medical examiner or coroner); his family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); family attorney Mark NeJame (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against Orange County and jail health employees, alleging medical neglect and deliberate indifference, and the case was pending in the sources reviewed.
Sources (7)
- News report
- 9 Investigates: Charges may be filed in Orange County inmate's death
- WESH 2 investigates Orange County inmate's death
- Family of inmate who died at Orange County Jail files lawsuit
- 'Culture of neglect' is what killed Orange County Jail inmate, family claims in lawsuit
- Max Gracia died in Orange County jail after being bitten by a police dog. His family wants answers.