A recent lawsuit has been filed following the death of Lorenza Trapp, a 62-year-old man from Charleston, who died of severe dehydration while in custody at the Al Cannon Detention Center. The lawsuit alleges that Trapp, who suffered from schizoaffective disorder and advanced dementia, experienced two weeks of medical neglect before his death, and his body was found in a state indicating he had been deceased for a significant time before discovery. Claims against the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office include negligence and wrongful death due to lack of proper care, supervision, and medical treatment access. The suit also names VitalCore Health Strategies LLC, the healthcare provider in the detention center, for medical malpractice and wrongful death.
Trapp was described in documents as medically unable to care for himself, showing significant dementia concerns. The lawsuit demands a jury trial, seeking damages and costs. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office has not commented on the pending litigation. This case adds to ongoing concerns about deaths and medical care at Al Cannon Detention Center, which has faced previous lawsuits and a Department of Justice investigation related to inmate deaths and treatment conditions.
This tragic incident highlights systemic issues regarding detained individuals with severe mental health conditions and the critical need for improved medical supervision and care at detention facilities.
