Hastings, MN – A lawsuit claims that a Minnesota man faced dire neglect at a county jail that left him in a critical condition, sparking outrage and raising questions about inmate treatment. Caleb Duffy, 22, was allegedly found in his cell in a severe state, with surroundings and conditions indicating grotesque neglect, after being arrested on suspicions of domestic assault.
On July 4, 2022, Duffy was detained and placed in Dakota County Jail, where he was held for over two days. Despite a pre-existing diabetes condition and mental health issues, it is claimed that necessary medications and care were withheld during his incarceration. After his release to a local hospital, he was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening complication, and had to be sedated and placed on a ventilator.
Brian Duffy, Caleb’s father and appointed legal guardian, brought forth the suit against Dakota County, the healthcare provider Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc., and multiple staff members. The legal complaint outlines a disturbing lack of attention to Duffy’s medical and psychological needs, highlighting the indifference met with his evident distress and deteriorating health.
Throughout his brief detention, surveillance revealed that Duffy’s behavior escalated from calm discussions to extreme physical distress. This included stripping naked, self-harm, and failing to maintain basic personal hygiene, as reflected by the condition of his cell.
The family’s attorney, Ryan Vettleson of Storms Dworak law firm, stated, “The unresponsiveness to such grave physical and mental health signs is deeply troubling. His condition in the cell was ignored for hours, though clearly deteriorating under constant watch.” This incident points to potential systemic issues in how inmates with significant health care needs are treated and managed.
Following Caleb Duffy’s hospitalization, the conditions he was subjected to in custody became a focal point for his family’s lawsuit. It asserts negligence, deliberate indifference, and violations of constitutional rights against the parties involved.
Sheriff Joe Leko of Dakota County, restricted by the ongoing litigation, refrained from commenting directly on the allegations but emphasized that detainee safety and care are paramount at their facility. Meanwhile, the case is being actively litigated by the county attorney’s office.
Further examination of Duffy’s ongoing struggles with mental health and diabetes underscored the critical need for consistent medication and care continuity, which his father reportedly insisted upon almost immediately following his son’s detention. These pleas ostensibly went unheeded, as Duffy’s previously prescribed insulin and other necessary medications were not administered.
The lawsuit, seeking both monetary damages and legal accountability through a jury trial, underscores a controversial pattern of potential neglect and mishandling of inmates, particularly those with special healthcare needs. The case involving Duffy raises crucial concerns about the standards of care and oversight in correctional facilities, spotlighting the broader implications for human rights within the criminal justice system.
This lawsuit continues amidst discussions on correctional healthcare reforms, at a time when accountability in jails and prisons remains under active national scrutiny. The outcomes could influence future policies on the treatment of incarcerated individuals with significant health concerns.