A man crawled on the floor and begged for medical help inside a troubled Minnesota prison — only to be given an antacid and die the next day, according to a lawsuit filed by his family.
Shocking video released by Bellamy’s family on Tuesday shows the moment Hennepin County Jail inmate Lucas Bellamy, 41, crawled out of his cell on his hands and knees and appeared to be writhing in pain on July 20, 2022.
Bellamy remained on the field as he spoke to a guard and medical staff, where he allegedly “requested medical attention,” according to the lawsuit filed in US District Court in Minneapolis on Tuesday.
He was then given antacids and returned to his cell, where he was found dead the next day from a perforated intestine.
“This is more than negligence. It’s callous,” attorney Jeff Storms told CBS News. “This is knowing that a man is suffering greatly from a serious medical need and doing nothing, nothing to treat this serious medical need.”
Hennepin County Jail inmate Lucas Bellamy, 41, was seen crawling on the floor as he sought medical attention. Law Offices of Storms Dworak LLC The day after the video was recorded, Bellamy died in his jail cell from a perforated intestine. Facebook/Lucas Bellamy
The lawsuit was filed against Hennepin County and Hennepin Healthcare and claims Bellamy’s death could have been prevented if not for the deteriorating standards of the jail, which has seen 15 inmate deaths since 2015.
The incident surrounding Bellamy’s death began during his arrest on July 18, 2022, when he was charged with attempting to flee police in a suspected stolen vehicle and possessing brass knuckles.
When he was arrested, Bellamy, who struggled with substance abuse for years, told jail staff that he had swallowed a bag of drugs and was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, the lawsuit alleges.
“This is knowing that a man is suffering greatly from serious medical needs and doing nothing, nothing to treat these serious medical needs,” attorney Jeff Storms said of jail staff. Law Offices of Storms Dworak LLC
Bellamy was monitored and returned to prison with instructions to return to the emergency department if he showed any worrisome symptoms.
Despite his repeated pleas to return to the hospital and his inability to stand, Bellamy remained in his jail cell until his death, according to the suit.
His father, Louis Bellamy, director and founder of the Penumbra Theater in St. Paul, slammed the alleged inaction by jail and medical staff during a press conference on Tuesday where the video was released.
After his arrest, Bellamy was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center and released with instructions to return if he showed symptoms. Law Offices of Storms Dworak LLC
“I have made a living as a theater director. I know how to build tragedy on stage,” Louis told reporters. “And I can tell you honestly that I couldn’t have built something more callous, more disrespectful of humanity, of human existence, than what I witnessed on that tape.
“It cannot go unanswered, those who choose to ignore his pleas for help,” he added.
Bellamy’s sister, Sarah, said she hoped the lawsuit would help shed light on the 14 other inmates who have died in prison over alleged neglect by staff when checking on inmate welfare.
Bellamy’s father, Louis, described his son’s death as a tragedy orchestrated by the district’s negligence. WSFA12 Bellamy’s family held a press conference Tuesday to announce their lawsuit and release a video of his final plea. WSFA12
“We hope as a family that by raising awareness of how my brother died, we can prevent the abuse and intentional neglect that Lucas suffered,” he told reporters.
Storms did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for additional information about the lawsuit he filed on behalf of the family.
Hennepin County said in a statement that it cannot comment on pending litigation but that “their sympathies are with the Bellamy Family.”
Hennepin Healthcare made a similar statement, adding, “We join others in extending our condolences to the family on the loss of their son.”
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
