Michael "Mikey" Lausell
Michael "Mikey" Lausell, 21, was the father of two young children. His mother, Naomi Lausell, says he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia at 17 and should have been in a mental hospital rather than a prison. He was held in the medical housing unit at Lancaster County Prison, where he had been placed on suicide watch, and he hanged himself with a blanket in his cell on January 5, 2015. His mother says at least 20 minutes passed before anyone found him, and the family has questioned whether staff were doing their rounds, while prison officials declined to comment during the investigation. He died on January 10 at Lancaster General Hospital after his family chose to end life support.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Michael's mother, Naomi Lausell, says he hanged himself with a blanket in his cell and that at least 20 minutes passed before anyone found him and gave life-saving care; the family also questions whether staff were doing their rounds while he was on suicide watch, and says he should have been in a mental hospital.
Reported by: Naomi Lausell, his mother (family or their lawyers); his family.