BOSTON, MA – The family of Madelyn Linsenmeir, a woman who died while in custody, is suing the City of Springfield, three police employees, and two workers at the sheriff’s office for ignoring her medical needs. Linsenmeir, who grew up in Vermont, was arrested on September 29, 2018, and eventually became septic, dying at a hospital on October 7 while in custody. The lawsuit accuses the Springfield police employees and the sheriff’s office workers of wrongful death and violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. The defendants deny the allegations and are seeking the case to be closed in their favor.
The estate of Linsenmeir is represented by attorney Daniel L. McFadden from the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. McFadden argued in court that Linsenmeir’s complaints about pain were ignored by the Springfield police personnel after her arrest. The lawsuit claims that with timely treatment, Linsenmeir could have survived, and her estate is seeking the chance to go to trial.
On the other hand, attorney Lisa C. deSousa, representing the City of Springfield, stated in court that Linsenmeir’s symptoms and behavior in custody did not indicate a medical emergency. She also argued that the police personnel did not have the expertise to recognize signs of a heart valve infection resulting from years of heroin abuse.
Linsenmeir was initially arrested for attempting to buy heroin and was charged with giving a false name and being a fugitive from New Hampshire. Video footage from the Springfield police booking area captured Linsenmeir expressing her need for medical attention and complaining about chest and knee pain.
After her arrest, Linsenmeir was transferred to the Hampden sheriff’s office and brought to the Western Massachusetts Regional Women’s Correctional Center. The lawsuit claims that her complaints about knee and chest pain continued but went untreated. Linsenmeir was found unresponsive in her cell on October 4, 2018, and was then taken to Baystate Medical Center, where she was diagnosed with a heart valve infection. Despite receiving antibiotics, it was determined to be too late to successfully treat her infections, leading to her death three days later.
During the hearing, Thomas E. Day, an attorney representing the Hampden sheriff’s office, argued that evidence from the litigation showed Linsenmeir received medical care and had meaningful access to it while at the correctional center. He stated that no reasonable jury could find in favor of the plaintiff.
The hearing was temporarily suspended by US District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni, and it is expected to resume on Tuesday. If the case proceeds to trial, the trial would commence on May 20 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The ACLU spokesperson mentioned that Linsenmeir’s sisters declined to comment during the pending hearing.