Shawn Smith
Shawn was 13 years old when he died on October 30, 2001, at the Volusia Regional Detention Center in Florida, a juvenile facility. He was on suicide watch there when he was found in his cell with a sheet tied to his neck and to the cell door. An investigation by the Department of Juvenile Justice inspector general found that nine lockup officers failed to follow suicide-prevention policies. Surveillance tapes were missing, so it was hard to determine how closely he had been supervised.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). The Department of Juvenile Justice inspector general's investigation found that nine lockup officers failed to follow suicide-prevention policies while he was on suicide watch.
Reported by: Department of Juvenile Justice inspector general (outside investigators).