A civil lawsuit has been filed against the Rowan County Detention Center after the mother of a former inmate alleges her son suffered a medical emergency while in custody that has left him in a permanent vegetative state.
According to court filings first reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader, the lawsuit was filed by Ethel Miller on behalf of her son, Jonathan Conkright.
The complaint alleges that Conkright had been identified by jail staff as a high-risk inmate because he had reportedly expressed suicidal thoughts. Under the detention center's policies, the lawsuit claims, inmates in that classification were to be monitored at least every 20 minutes.
The lawsuit contends those required welfare checks were not conducted as scheduled. It alleges that more than an hour passed before staff discovered Conkright suffering what is described as a serious medical emergency. According to the complaint, he was found with a discolored face, clenched fists, and involuntary body movements.
Attorney Noel Caldwell, who represents Miller, alleges jail personnel failed to follow established procedures, contributing to Conkright's condition. The lawsuit further claims that Conkright remains in a vegetative state and is not expected to recover.
The Herald-Leader also reported that the plaintiff's attorney says surveillance video exists that allegedly documents both the medical emergency and the actions of jail staff leading up to it.
The allegations outlined in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and the case remains pending.