Death in Tarrant County Jail Custody Determined as Dehydration-Related by Medical Examiner's Assessment

Unchecked Losses: The Shocking Toll of Inmate Deaths in Tarrant County Jail

Let's cut to the chase: Tarrant County Jail has a serious problem - an alarming number of deaths in custody. The latest casualty? Kimberly Phillips, a 56-year-old woman who succumbed to dehydration and malnutrition on Feb 18. But that's not all - there have been at least three other deaths this year, under similar circumstances.

Phillips, who was a vegetarian, spent days at John Peter Smith Hospital before her untimely demise. After her arrest for outstanding felony warrants, she was transported to the Tarrant County Jail on Jan 25. Despite being placed in medical housing under 24-hour observation and care, she allegedly wasn't fed for several days, leading to her tragic end.

Her family's attorney, Chidi Anunobi, has accused the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office of negligence. He argues that the jail's callous disregard for inmates' wellbeing is nothing new, citing a consistent pattern of mistreatment and neglect.

Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Office remains tight-lipped, promising only to release more information once the open investigation is complete. In the meantime, they ask for patience, not accusations.

This isn't the first time Tarrant County Jail has faced scrutiny. Former Chief Deputy Charles Eckert testified that despite having 24/7 access to water, inmates have died from dehydration. One such victim was 52-year-old Georgia Kay Baldwin, who passed away in September 2021. Despite having a water fountain in her cell, Baldwin, who displayed signs of severe mental illness, succumbed to severe hypernatremia – an imbalance of sodium caused by dehydration.

In a shocking move, Tarrant County offered Baldwin's family a $750,000 payout following a lawsuit filed by her sons. However, death and allegations of mistreatment in the Tarrant County Jail have cost the county millions in lawsuit settlements since 2022.

As the investigations continue, families of those lost push for justice. The Phillips family plans to file two lawsuits in the coming weeks. It's time for Tarrant County to address these issues head-on, and ensure the safety and dignity of all inmates in their care.

If you have any information that could shed light on this continuing tragedy, feel free to email Megan Cardona at [email protected]. Your tip could make a difference.

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Kimberly Phillips' autopsy revealed she died due to dehydration and malnutrition, a 56-year-old inmate at Tarrant County Jail who was a vegetarian.
The Phillips family's attorney, Chidi Anunobi, has accused the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office of negligence, stating that the jail's mistreatment and neglect of inmates is not a new concern.
Another example of mistreatment occurred in Tarrant County Jail when 52-year-old Georgia Kay Baldwin passed away in September 2021, despite having 24/7 access to water due to severe mental illness and severe hypernatremia caused by dehydration.
The case of Georgia Kay Baldwin resulted in Tarrant County offering a $750,000 payout following a lawsuit filed by her sons, and it's been reported that Tarrant County has paid millions in lawsuit settlements since 2022 due to inmate deaths and allegations of mistreatment.
Moving forward, it's essential for Tarrant County to address these ongoing issues related to health-and-wellness, mental health, and general news concerning crime-and-justice, ensuring the safety and dignity of all inmates in their care.