Despite repeated warnings from medical professionals, staff at the Sangamon County Jail placed 27-year-old Tiffany Rusher — who had a long, documented history of suicide attempts and self-harm — in an isolated cell for nearly four months, a lawsuit and jail records show.
In March 2017, she was found dead with “a strip of hand towel wrapped tightly around her neck.,” according to a lawsuit filed by her family.
Doctors had advised jail staff that Rusher should not be held in solitary confinement, noting her dozens of prior attempts to harm herself and her high risk for suicide.
Jackie Mathias, director of inmate services and behavioral health at McLean County Jail, discusses jail programs.
Contact Drew Zimmerman at 309-820-3276. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DZimmermanLee
Khayla Evans’ timeline in custody of Lake County Jail from June 30 to Dec. 16, 2022
June 30: Evans arrested and placed in the custody of Lake County Jail.
July 1: Evans started feeling effects of missing doses of prescription medication for ADHD and Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Wellpath and jail staff alleged to have “altered the pharmacologic regimen” of Evans during her custody.
July 4: Evans suffers psychiatric episode where she throws a chair and says she needs to be transferred to a mental hospital or she will be “leaving in a body bag.”
July 9-13: Evans reports severe stomach pain and anxiety to staff.
Aug. 12: Evans suffers psychiatric episode where she was in an out of psychosis, hallucinations and bouts of banging her head against her cell door.
Aug. 14: Staff were made aware that Evans was not eating and refused four meals.
Aug. 26: Evans suffers psychiatric episode where she exhibits “bizarre behavior.”
Sept. 7: Evans suffers psychiatric episode where she was banging her head against a cell window and scratching her arms claiming there were bugs on her.
Sept. 12: Evans suffers psychiatric episode and screams for help to staff.
Sept. 23: Evans falls from her cell, no physician was contacted and Evans was not transported to a hospital.
Sept. 25-30: Evans continues to refuse meals but is not appropriately assessed by any medical provider.
Oct. 11: Evans declared unfit to stand trial.
Oct. 25: Evans reportedly refused meals for three straight days.
Oct. 30: Evans’ classification changed for closer supervision due to risk of self-harm.
Nov. 12: Evans suffers psychiatric episode where she was banging on her cell door.
Nov. 16-17: Evans falls in her cell twice, no physician is contact and Evans is not transported to a hospital.
Nov. 20: Evans reports that she can’t move her legs.
Nov. 22-23: Evans reportedly has not eaten for days and reports that she can’t stand.
Nov. 23: Evans transported to Vista Medical Center East, no diagnostic testing or imaging is ordered nor is she admitted for treatment, Evans returns to Lake County Jail later that day.
Nov. 24-26: Evans reportedly throwing up medication and is fitted with a diaper due to her inability to use the toilet.
Dec. 2: Evans transported to Vista Medical Center East for the second time, no diagnostic testing or imaging ordered, complete history reportedly not obtained.
Dec. 5: Evans discharged and returned to Lake County Jail.
Dec. 7-9: Evans unable to change diaper or hold medication, continues to experience abdominal pain.
Dec. 9: Evans transported to Vista Medical Center East for the third time.
Dec. 10: 60-day deadline to transfer Evans to a state mental health facility elapses, CT scan shows small infiltrate in right lung but not followed up on.
Dec. 13: Ultrasound of Evans’ lower extremities performed, visualization of two leg veins reportedly incomplete. Evans discharged and returns to Lake County Jail
Dec. 14: Evans reportedly screaming non-stop.
Dec. 16: Evans found unresponsive in jail cell having suffered from fatal cardiac arrest.
