A Southern California county will pay $480,000 to an inmate who suffered a miscarriage during their care, with sheriff’s deputies even stopping at a Starbucks on the way back to the hospital. in March 2016.
Sandra Quinones, who is no longer in custody, received the settlement after claiming in a federal lawsuit that law enforcement in Orange County delayed treatment after her water broke in prison.
On Tuesday, county supervisors unanimously approved the payment, however, the settlement became final only after Quinones formally accepted it, according to the statement. Orange County Register.
“It’s a very good outcome for someone being treated badly in prison,” her attorney, Dick Herman, told the Register. “This poor woman, she’s in jail for a miscarriage and instead of calling an ambulance, they took her to the hospital in a patrol car and the police stopped at Starbucks while she was bleed.”
Delegates “Act with Intentional Indifference” when stopping at a Starbucks on the way to the hospital
Herman said Quinones is mentally ill, “dysfunctional” and homeless, but she “understands she’s been wronged,” according to LA time.
“The prison in Orange County is likely to sink to the lowest depth,” Herman told the Times. Unfortunately, this is not the only occasion. “
The lawsuit claims that deputies refused to call an ambulance, then “acted with more deliberate indifference” toward her during a Starbucks stop instead of taking Quinones to the hospital directly.
Her lawyer did not disclose how long Quinones’ pregnancy was, but confirmed she had a miscarriage, according to the Times.
The lawsuit notes that Quinones “spent considerable time” in prison, even after she suffered a miscarriage. Herman added that she currently lives with her mother.
The case was in fact dropped in 2020 before being reinstated in the Court of Appeals last year
Her case was actually dismissed in federal court in October 2020, however it was eventually reinstated by the US Court of Appeals last year, the newspaper reported.
“She persevered through this case, including all its ups and downs,” Herman said. “This is a long and difficult battle. We are glad that this has come to a successful conclusion. “
County officials reportedly confirmed the settlement amount, but no comment was provided by the county or the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on the incident, a Sgt spokesman said. Scott Steinle.
Inmates report widespread suicide, sparse treatment at Orange County Jail
The Orange County prison where Quinones is held has been criticized for a number of issues.
In June, former inmate Jose Armendariz’s account of his incarceration in an Orange County jail details rampant suicide and sparse medical treatment, reports said. Knock LA.
The prison was also the site of a daring escape in 2016 of one of the three inmates, who was eventually recaptured and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Meanwhile, Zachary Schwartz, an attorney representing the district, could not be reached for comment, according to the Times.
