The family of Larry Eugene Price Jr., who died in 2021 while in custody at the Sebastian County Detention Center (SCDC), has reached a $6 million settlement with the county and the facility’s healthcare provider, Turn Key Health Clinics LLC, CBS News reports.
Price, who suffered from serious mental illness, died from dehydration and malnutrition after being held in solitary confinement for over a year awaiting trial on a terroristic threatening charge. His weight plummeted from 185 pounds to 90 pounds during his incarceration.
The lawsuit, filed last year by Price’s family, alleged that jail staff neglected Price’s deteriorating health and failed to address his mental health needs. The lawsuit included autopsy pictures of Price’s emaciated body, showcasing the severity of his neglect.
“The size of this settlement reflects the magnitude of the atrocity that occurred,” said Erik Heipt, the family’s attorney. “This historic result sends a powerful message to every single jail and prison in America that this type of blatant disregard for human life will not be tolerated.”
Sebastian County and Turn Key have each agreed to pay $3 million to Price’s family. The Sebastian County Quorum Court voted to settle the lawsuit last month.
While Turn Key confirmed the settlement, their statement acknowledged their role in the tragedy, stating they “agreed that having a different mental health counseling provider from the medical and psychiatric provider at the jail was not in the best interests of patients at the SCDC.”
The company has now taken over all medical, mental health counseling, and psychiatric services at the Sebastian County Detention Center.
Rodney Price, Larry Price’s brother, expressed his hope that this case and the settlement will lead to positive changes within the criminal justice system.
“While no amount of money could bring my brother back, this victory will help give our family some closure as we move forward,” said Rodney Price. “We hope and pray that it will lead to changes in how our jails treat people in their custody and will save lives in the future.”
