MEDICAL EXAMINER RULES JAIL DEATH OF DIABETIC HOMICIDE, FAMILY PLANS LAWSUIT AGAINST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2024 (San Diego) – San Diego County’s Sheriff’s department has been under scrutiny for years over its high rate of jail deaths. Despite numerous reforms implemented by Sheriff Kelly Martinez that have reduced the overall number of prisoner deaths, yet another shocking death has sparked a lawsuit against the County—this time, a diabetic man who pleaded for insulin, as did fellow inmates on his behalf. His empty insulin pump beeped for nearly 24 hours before the man was found dead in his jail cell.

Keith Galen Bach, 62, of Chula Vista died in San Diego’s Central Jail a year ago, on Sept. 28. He was arrested Sept. 25 on charges of vandalism and making criminal threats. He was hospitalized briefly due to diabetic-related illness before being jailed; at the time of his arrest he had informed staff he would run out of insulin the next day, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

A type-1 diabetic, he was provided insulin by Sheriff staff on Sept. 26 and a lower dose on the 27^th, the latter while his insulin levels were dangerously low.

A nurse ordered a higher dose, but approval was pending.  Nineteen hours went by without any medical care to Bach, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports, even after his insulin pump’s alarm began going off and other prisoners asked Sheriff’s staff to help him.  He was later found dead in his cell.

The County Medical Examiner found the neglect so severe that its report ruled Bach’s death a homicide.  The District Attorney is reviewing the case and considering filing charges.

“Following insufficient insulin administration while in custody, Mr. Bach developed diabetic ketoacidosis and died,” the Medical Examiner’s report states. “This occurred despite medical records containing documentation of his medical condition, insulin requirements, when his pump would be depleted of insulin, and multiple unanswered requests for insulin by Mr. Bach and fellow inmates.”

Bach died without being charged for any crimes.

“It’s very rare to see the San Diego County Medical Examiner report that the San Diego Sheriff’s Department committed homicide against one of the citizens of San Diego,” said attorney Brian Mason, partner at Gomez Trial Attorneys, NBC 7 reports.

The family has said it plans to sue the Sheriff’s department, as well as San Diego County and a company contracted to provide nursing care to incarcerated persons.

The Sheriff’s office does not comment on pending litigation.

“This is an ongoing investigation and it is imperative, we protect the integrity of the investigation,” a statement from the Sheriff’s department reads. “We extend our sympathies to Mr. Bach’s family and to those affected by his passing.”

A state audit published in 2022 found San Diego jails had the highest death rate among major California counties, with 185 deaths from 2006-2020.  It recommended legislative reforms. The deaths have also cost taxpayers millions, most recently a $15 million settlement for the death of Elisa Serna, who died at the Las Colinas women’s jail in 2019 due to inadequate medical care.