Key Takeaways:
– Medical examiner labels Keith Galen Bach’s in-jail death a homicide due to neglect by San Diego County sheriff’s deputies.
– Bach’s insulin pump had run out and was ignored for almost 24 hours despite alerts from Bach and fellow inmates.
– The Medical Examiner’s report pointed out multiple ignored requests for insulin and clear documentation of Bach’s health condition.
– San Diego County has a high rate of in-custody deaths, leading to millions spent in legal settlements.
– This is the second time a death in sheriff’s custody has been ruled a homicide due to medical neglect.
Bach’s Death: A Case of Gross Neglect
Keith Galen Bach, a type 1 diabetic inmate at Men’s Central Jail, was found deceased with his insulin pump alarm still ringing, an investigator from the Medical Examiner’s Office reported. According to autopsy findings released by The San Diego Union-Tribune, Bach’s insulin pump is believed to have been beeping continuously for nearly 24 hours, signaling an insulin deficiency.
Despite multiple warnings to deputies about the empty insulin pump, the response by San Diego County sheriff’s deputies to Bach’s recurring health emergency was alarmingly inadequate. This has led the Medical Examiner’s Office to label his death a homicide, with “neglect” being cited as a direct cause.
San Diego Sheriff’s Office: A History of Negligence in Custody
The manner in which San Diego County Sheriff’s office handled Bach’s predicament not only points to systemic negligence, but also raises questions about its overall approach to medical emergencies in custody. With documented records detailing Bach’s medical condition, insulin requirements, and possible depletion of his pump, the lack of immediate action is glaring.
“Following insufficient insulin administration while in custody, Mr. Bach developed diabetic ketoacidosis and died,” the medical examiner’s report states. The lack of comment from the Sheriff’s office on the findings further compounds the severity of the situation.
Public Outcry Ensues following Homicide Verdict
Advocates and correctional health experts have expressed indignation over the situation. “When you deny someone oxygen, they suffocate,” stated Aaron Fischer, a lawyer suing San Diego county over inadequate health care services in county jails.
This incident is not an isolated case; San Diego County has been under scrutiny for it’s high mortality rate within its jail systems. A state audit reported 185 in-custody deaths from 2006 to 2020, indicating that new legislation to enforce reforms is crucial.
A Series of Faulty Actions Lead to Bach’s Death
At the time of his arrest on suspicion of vandalism and criminal threat, 63-year-old Bach was too ill to be immediately booked into jail. Once hospitalised for elevated glucose, his insulin pump’s need for refill was noted. Following his medical clearance, he was brought to the downtown central jail. However, a fainting spell and subsequent emergency room visit did not deter his return to the jail.
The morning after his intake, Bach’s glucose levels dangerously spiked to 322 mg/dL, despite him having been administered 10 units of insulin the previous afternoon. He was last administered insulin at 1:51 a.m, with further instructions for an increased dosage pending review. No further medical staff checks happened for the next 19 hours.
Bach was found unresponsive in his cell a day later, and was declared dead just after 4 a.m. Seeing the clear neglect leading to inadequate care, the medical examiner classified the manner of Bach’s death as homicide.
A Rare Homicide Determination Enlightens the Public
Cases where a death within the sheriff’s custody is ruled a homicide due to medical neglect are rare. Only once before this incident, in the case of Lonnie Rupard’s death in 2022, has the Medical Examiner’s Office made a similar determination.
The medical neglect in Bach’s case highlights the desperate need for adequate medical attention and care within prison systems. It sets a precedent for increased scrutiny into such cases and a pressing demand for systematic reform in the treatment of incarcerated individuals. The case is currently under review by the District Attorney’s Office.