(North County Beat) – In a landmark decision, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has approved a $15 million settlement, marking the largest wrongful-death payout in its history. The sum is intended for the family of Elisa Serna, a 24-year-old pregnant woman who tragically died in solitary confinement at Las Colinas women’s jail nearly five years ago. This development underscores a broader pattern of systemic issues plaguing the county’s correctional facilities, with numerous pending cases likely to escalate taxpayer costs significantly in the coming years.
The agreement comes amid mounting legal challenges and public outcry over a series of alleged neglect and misconduct cases involving deputies and medical staff. The narrative of inadequate care and procedural lapses echoes across various incidents, each highlighting failures that have led to preventable deaths and injuries of inmates under county supervision.
Recently, the family of Roselee Bartolacci, a 32-year-old woman with schizoaffective disorder, filed a lawsuit against San Diego County after her death in Las Colinas. Allegedly, Bartolacci suffered severe neglect, including prolonged solitary confinement and lack of essential medical attention, exacerbating her condition until her untimely demise.
Similarly harrowing is the case of Brandon Yates, who died earlier this year in another San Diego County jail after being tortured by his cellmate. Despite repeated pleas for help, Yates received no assistance from jail staff, illustrating a stark failure in ensuring inmate safety and intervention protocols.
These incidents are part of a troubling pattern documented in numerous lawsuits against the Sheriff’s Department, totaling tens of millions in settlements paid out since 2019. The legal battles reveal consistent allegations of deliberate indifference to inmates’ medical needs and safety concerns, contributing to a culture of neglect that critics argue starts at the highest levels of county leadership.
One particularly distressing case involved Lonnie Rupard, whose death was deemed a homicide due to severe neglect and mistreatment in Men’s Central Jail. Rupard’s deteriorated condition, compounded by unsanitary living conditions and malnutrition, highlighted systemic failures in providing basic care and oversight.
Legal battles stemming from these tragedies often linger for years, with some cases already resulting in significant financial liabilities for the county. For instance, a recent ruling mandated the county to pay $6 million in legal fees related to excessive force allegations, adding to the mounting financial burden on taxpayers.
Critics, including attorneys representing affected families, argue that these repeated failures reflect a pervasive “culture of indifference” within the Sheriff’s Department and county governance. They assert that meaningful reforms are urgently needed to prioritize inmate welfare over litigation defense strategies.
