Attorney Matthew Fry obtained dismissal on behalf of a prison facility and two corrections officers accused of violating an inmate’s civil rights and negligence claims that allegedly led to the death of the inmate. The estate of the decedent filed suit claiming that the decedent, who had been released from custody on bail, had been assigned to attend an inpatient drug facility when she unexpectedly left the van and waited on the prison grounds to be picked up by her sister. The decedent then went to her sisters and had an accidental overdose and passed away. Plaintiff claimed that the decedent should have been compelled to return to the van transporting her to the drug rehabilitation facility, and that the defendants should have detained the decedent.
In granting the facilities’ Motion to Dismiss, the Court found that the facts alleging a civil rights violation were insufficient to state a claim because the officers lacked personal involvement in the decedent’s departure. The facility did not violate the decedent’s civil rights in granting her bail or releasing her to the drug treatment facility van taking her to the treatment center.