Stephanie Deal
Stephanie Deal, 29, was a certified nursing assistant who cared for elderly people, sang in her school chorus and took dance lessons; her mother says her two children were her cornerstone. She was held at the Cowlitz County Jail in early August 2013 while withdrawing from heroin and died there on August 10, 2013. Her family's federal lawsuit says she received no treatment until she was incoherent, and other people held at the jail and a nursing assistant are reported to have said she vomited repeatedly, fell, and was told to get up. The county denies liability, and Conmed says she was seen by medical staff. The autopsy listed the manner of death as undetermined.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). The autopsy ruled the manner of death undetermined, while her family's federal lawsuit says Cowlitz County jail staff gave her no treatment for heroin withdrawal until she was incoherent, and other detainees and a nursing assistant say staff ignored her vomiting and falls.
Reported by: autopsy report; her family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); other detainees and a nursing assistant.
Lawsuit: Her family filed a federal lawsuit against Cowlitz County and Conmed over her death.