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Died in prison

Michael McDaniel

55 years old · died February 6, 2021 · Correctional Reception Center, Pickaway County, Ohio

Michael McDaniel, 55, was a Navy veteran from Columbus, and his sister, Jada McDaniel, said he was loved by his family and friends. He died on February 6, 2021, while held at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, Ohio, after video released by the state showed officers pulling him from his cell and forcing him to the ground repeatedly on the way to the medical unit. The Franklin County Coroner ruled his death a homicide, citing blunt force injuries and a stress-induced sudden cardiac death. A state investigation found that five officers used excessive and unjustified force, that a nurse improperly recorded that he had refused treatment, and that seven employees were fired or resigned. The Pickaway County prosecutor declined to bring criminal charges, and his family's wrongful death lawsuit in the Ohio Court of Claims alleges excessive force and inadequate medical care.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The Franklin County Coroner ruled the death a homicide from stress-induced sudden cardiac death with blunt force injuries, while the state Department of Rehabilitation and Correction found that guards used excessive and unjustified force and that staff failed to perform their duties, and his family disputes the state's account that he was combative and declined care.

Reported by: Franklin County Coroner (medical examiner or coroner); Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (the agency that held him); family; Ohio State Highway Patrol (outside investigators).

Lawsuit: His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction in the Ohio Court of Claims, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.

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