Estate of Thomas v. County Commissioners

Standridge, J.:

In this jail suicide negligence action, the plaintiffs appeal the district court’s decision to grant summary judgment in favor of the defendants. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand with directions.

Facts

On October 22, 2002, Anthony D. Stapleton was taken into custody at the Shawnee County Department of Corrections Adult Detention Center (DOC). Stapleton was placed on suicide watch after he told jail staff that he had attempted suicide a few months prior to being incarcerated, that he felt he had “lost everyone,” and that he wanted to die. Inmates in the suicide watch…