An Atlanta man was found dead inside a decrepit jail cell after being “eaten alive” by insects and bed bugs, an attorney representing the victim’s family alleged.
According to GuardianThe family of Lashawn Thompson is calling for a criminal investigation into the victim’s death and the closure and replacement of the local jail.
Thompson was arrested on a misdemeanor charge and jailed in Fulton County. He was later transferred to the facility’s psychiatric unit after officials determined he had mental problems but was physically fine.
Three months after his arrest, the victim was found dead in a filthy cell covered in dirt and vermin. According to The Washington PostThe cell was so dirty that an employee wore a protective suit before entering.
“They basically left it there,” said Michael Harper, an attorney representing the Thompson family. internal.
“And their plan was to take him to the medical observation unit, but their plan never happened, and they found him dead, eaten by these bed bugs.”
The victim’s family was not aware of his arrest and only came to know about his death when they got the news. The Washington Post.
An autopsy revealed the victim had a “very severe” infestation of small insects and a “severe bed bug infestation” in her cell.
According to the report, he also had cuts and bruises on his body from skin picking.
“It was heartbreaking because no one should be seen like this. No one should see this,” Thompson’s brother said after seeing the photos of his brother.
An investigation into the 35-year-old’s death has been launched, but the family says more needs to be done to improve prison conditions.