Lawsuit: Staff Ignored, Ridiculed Sick Inmate Before He Died

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The family of a sick inmate who died inside a rural Pennsylvania jail two years ago claims guards and medical professionals ignored and even ridiculed his distress but documented his agony.

A federal lawsuit filed Friday by the mother of 40-year-old Shawn Kitchen blames Clinton County, jail officials and medical staff for mishandling what began as a urinary tract infection and led to a fatal kidney infection.

The lawsuit claims Kitchen exhibited symptoms shortly after being jailed for an alleged probation violation, and within three days was seen crying in his cell and unable to stand without assistance.

It accuses medical and jail staff of responding to his complaints by putting him in a restraint chair and solitary confinement.

Lawyers for the defendants declined to comment or didn't immediately respond.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)