The family of inmate Mary Brucato has filed a lawsuit against the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and the jail’s medical provider, VitalCore, following her death inside the Al Cannon Detention Center.
Victim and Death
Mary Brucato, 23, died on August 11 while in custody. In December, the Charleston County Coroner ruled her death a homicide, citing medical neglect as a contributing factor.
Allegations Against the Sheriff’s Office
The lawsuit claims the Sheriff’s Office failed to monitor Brucato’s physical health despite being aware of her compromised state. After more than two days of alleged neglect, Brucato was found deceased in her cell.
Allegations Against VitalCore
Brucato’s family is suing VitalCore and its employees for medical negligence and wrongful death. The lawsuit alleges that staff failed to assess or check on Brucato even when alerted by jail personnel, representing a “complete abandonment of basic medical monitoring.”
Leadership Concerns
VitalCore’s Chief Medical Officer, Harbans Deol, is named in the lawsuit. Documents state Deol is not licensed in South Carolina, leaving the jail without a medical director. Several John Does are also named due to unidentified responsible medical staff.
Legal Intent and Accountability
Attorney Mark Peper, representing Brucato’s family, said the lawsuit aims to hold both the Sheriff’s Office and VitalCore accountable and to ensure future inmate safety. He emphasized the need for systemic change to prevent similar deaths.
Responses
Neither the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office nor VitalCore has responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
