LaShawn Thompson: Inmate with schizophrenia found dead in jail cell after being 'eaten alive by insects'
Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA: LaShawn Thompson, a former Georgia inmate who died in a filthy jail cell was living in a space 'not fit for a diseased animal.' His family is calling for a criminal investigation into his death and shutting down of the controversial Fulton County jail where he was imprisoned. This is one of the country’s largest lockups in Atlanta, and is run in terrible conditions, alleges the family.
The 35-year-old schizophrenic inmate died in a cell in the psychiatric wing on September 13. He was arrested on misdemeanor battery charges three months earlier, as per family lawyer Michael Harper. The family held a news conference along with their attorney on Thursday, April 13. The victim’s brother, Brad McCrae, shared how his brother used to love music, dancing, and cooking. "He was a playful person. He was a good person. He didn’t deserve this," said McCrae.
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Harper questioned why a mentally ill inmate was left alone in jail, abandoned to die, “This is inexcusable and deplorable.” He said. “The medical staff and the officers saw him deteriorating in the last few weeks before he died. They did nothing to help him. Nothing. They found him dead in his cell, lying there, infested with bedbugs and lice, and that’s what killed him.” The attorney also shared photos of the victim’s face and body covered with bugs and the filthy jail cell, reports Law&Crime.
'The decedent’s body was covered in bedbugs'
According to legal documents, Thompson was found ‘unresponsive in his cell on Sept. 13 at 4:40 am. When his body was found, a detention officer refused to administer CPR because, in her words, she ''freaked out''. Harper revealed that an ambulance was brought in and paramedics made effort to resuscitate him but failed. The report added, “There were no obvious signs of trauma, and the decedent’s body was covered in bedbugs.”
'Rapidly eroding conditions of the current facility'
Sheriff’s office spokesperson released a statement to WSB-TV, which said, ''The ongoing investigation is examining details regarding the medical care provided and ultimately will determine whether any criminal charges are warranted in this case." It further read, "The health, well-being, and security of inmates in our care is our top priority. It’s no secret that the dilapidated and rapidly eroding conditions of the current facility make it incredibly difficult to meet the goal of providing a clean, well-maintained, and healthy environment for all inmates and staff."