Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Tort claim filed on Roosevelt inmate death

PORTALES — A tort claim has been filed on behalf of the family of a man who reportedly committed suicide Nov. 11 at the Roosevelt County Detention Center.

The claim from the law office of Eric Dixon names the Roosevelt County Commission, its detention center and its employees as potential defendants following the death of Eric Padilla, 37.

A tort claim is a notice sent to government entities within 90 days of an alleged date of injury or property damage, and gives the filing party a two-year window to file a lawsuit.

Padilla, according to incident reports acquired by The News, was found unresponsive in the early morning hours, and lifesaving measures on scene by staff and first responders were unsuccessful. The reports stated Padilla was found hung with socks that were tied together.

The tort claim contends:

• Padilla was denied proper medical attention during his 238 days at the facility, and jail staff was indifferent to his diabetes mellitus, asthma and depression.

• Information about Padilla’s charges were provided to other inmates, which made him a target of physical violence.

• On the evening of Padilla’s death, detention center employes failed to properly render medical care or monitor him due to “chronic understaffing and ill-training, and lack of superivision of detention officers which amounted to deliberate indifference.”

• Padilla’s privacy was violated in a Nov. 11 press release claiming he was found unresponsive in the detention center.

County Manager Amber Hamilton declined comment, citing county policy on pending litigation.

Author Bio

Do you have a question?
A comment you'd like to see published?
Or maybe a story idea for a future edition?

— Please email the publisher: [email protected]