By Bob Walsh
To no great surprise whatsoever the in-custody death of a 23-year old woman in the Santa Cruz County slammer has spawned a wrongful death lawsuit against the county and the contract medical care provider. In this case it is completely possible the lawsuit is fully justified.
The federal lawsuit was filed Friday on behalf of the 2-year old daughter of Krista DeLucca. Ms. DeLucca was arrested for being under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia and multiple outstanding warrants. She shuffled off this mortal coil on September 29 of last year after four days of puking her guts out in the jail. Cause of death was aspirational pneumonia, severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. She was being treated at the jail by being told to drink Gatorade.
Her symptoms were all related to drug withdrawal. She requested to be hospitalized in an actual hospital. Her request was refused, allegedly because the contract health care provider is on the hook for the first $15,000 of medical care at off-grounds hospitals. That provider is California Forensic Medical Group. Their contract is currently up for review.
The Civil Grand Jury has recommended that the county relieve the medical provider of that financial responsibility in future contracts to help ensure quality medical care for guests of the county. The County Board of Supervisors has accepted that recommendation.
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