Smith-Dandridge v. Geanolous

In a case that demonstrates how difficult a jail suicide claim can be, court finds that detainee’s bizarre behavior at time of arrest did not put arresting officers on notice that he was at substantial risk of suicide; medical intake form which detailed detainee’s prescription medications, diagnoses including depression and history of suicide attempts did not show actual knowledge by jail officers and nurses that detainee was at substantial risk of suicide; existence of records from detainee’s prior detentions, showing he was checked by jail staff every 15 minutes for eight hours during each of prior detentions did not result in actual knowledge by jail officers that during instant detention detainee was at substantial risk of suicide; detainee’s report of panic attack to jail officers did not result in actual knowledge by officers or nurses that detainee was at substantial risk of suicide.