Omar Paisley
Omar Paisley was 17 when he died on June 9, 2003, while held at the Miami Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Florida. The Bradenton Herald and Miami Herald report that he complained of severe abdominal pain for days and that staff waited three days before getting him treatment, saying they lacked authority to call an ambulance. He died of appendicitis. Lawmakers at hearings called the response a culture of neglect, and 25 employees resigned or were fired, according to the reporting. His mother, Cherry Williams, said his death left a scar that would never go away.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (neglect alleged). Lawmakers and the Herald say he died of appendicitis after staff at the Miami Regional Juvenile Detention Center waited three days to get him treatment despite severe abdominal pain, and that staff said they lacked authority to call an ambulance.
Reported by: Lawmakers at hearings; Miami Herald reporting (reporters).