An investigation into jail health care in Illinois shows how inconsistent treatment of chronic conditions can end in injury, suffering or death.
ANALISA TROFIMUK
DREW ZIMMERMAN
Updated
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A medical unit of the DeKalb County Jail.
DREW ZIMMERMAN, THE PANTAGRAPH
Rock Island County Sheriff Darren Hart
Photo provided
Coles County Sheriff Kent Martin
Photo provided
Marcus Mays sits with his daughter, Aaliyah. Mays, who had a history of grand mal seizures, died while in the custody of the Will County Jail after failing to receive anti-seizure medication throughout his stay.
Photo provided
Aaliyah Jade Hirsch was eight years old when her father, Marcus Mays, died in the custody of the Will County Jail after suffering a grand mal seizure.
Ava Petersen says she inherited a number of wonderful traits from her father, Eric, such as his deep love for animals, fishing and spending time in nature.
Photos of Eric Petersen, along with his two kids, fill a small memorial in Patricia Keitel's home. Erin Petersen, his wife, mentioned that he was a very hands on father.
Eric Petersen's memorial bench located on a trail at Eden Valley Refuge in Ballwin, Iowa. Family visits occasionally to change out the decorations to fit the seasons and to refill the bird feeders.
KATELYN METZGER
From left, Eric Petersen's eldest daughter, 18, and his ex-wife, Erin Petersen, talk about his life and death on Friday, February 28, in Maquoketa. Though dealing with alcoholism during the later part of his life, his loved fishing with his kids, cooking and geode hunting.
KATELYN METZGER
Patricia Keitel places an electric candle in the middle of a small memorial in her home to honor Eric Petersen, her son, on Friday, February 28, in Maquoketa. Petersen, a type one diabetic, died in June 2022 in the Rock Island County Jail from ketoacidosis after the staff failed to administer his glucometer and medications.
KATELYN METZGER
Patricia Keitel shows off a photo of her son, Eric Petersen, in her home in Maquoketa on Friday, February 28.
KATELYN METZGER
Patricia Keitel speaks about her son's death at her home in Maquoketa. Eric Petersen died from ketoacidosis in the Rock Island County Jail after the staff failed to administer his medication.
KATELYN METZGER
Patricia Keitel points out a photo of her son, Eric Petersen, holding a fish that he had caught when he was younger. Next to the photo is a picture of a fishing rod and pond that Petersen had drawn during a church service when he was young.
KATELYN METZGER
Contact Analisa Trofimuk at 219-933-3211. Contact Drew Zimmerman at 309-820-3276. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DZimmermanLee
Eric Petersen's memorial bench located on a trail at Eden Valley Refuge in Ballwin, Iowa. Family visits occasionally to change out the decorations to fit the seasons and to refill the bird feeders.
Marcus Mays sits with his daughter, Aaliyah. Mays, who had a history of grand mal seizures, died while in the custody of the Will County Jail after failing to receive anti-seizure medication throughout his stay.
From left, Eric Petersen's eldest daughter, 18, and his ex-wife, Erin Petersen, talk about his life and death on Friday, February 28, in Maquoketa. Though dealing with alcoholism during the later part of his life, his loved fishing with his kids, cooking and geode hunting.
Patricia Keitel places an electric candle in the middle of a small memorial in her home to honor Eric Petersen, her son, on Friday, February 28, in Maquoketa. Petersen, a type one diabetic, died in June 2022 in the Rock Island County Jail from ketoacidosis after the staff failed to administer his glucometer and medications.
Patricia Keitel speaks about her son's death at her home in Maquoketa. Eric Petersen died from ketoacidosis in the Rock Island County Jail after the staff failed to administer his medication.
Photos of Eric Petersen, along with his two kids, fill a small memorial in Patricia Keitel's home. Erin Petersen, his wife, mentioned that he was a very hands on father.
Patricia Keitel points out a photo of her son, Eric Petersen, holding a fish that he had caught when he was younger. Next to the photo is a picture of a fishing rod and pond that Petersen had drawn during a church service when he was young.
