Allegations Against Indiana Detention Facility
A man detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has claimed in court documents that officials at an Indiana detention center left him in a pool of blood following a seizure. This incident allegedly occurred due to missed epilepsy medication. Andranik Grigoryan, detained at Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana from December 30 to May 15, filed lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
Lawsuits Filed
Grigoryan’s lawsuits target Centurion Health of Indiana, the prison’s medical provider, and unnamed Indiana Department of Correction officers. The alleged incidents have not gone unnoticed, prompting responses from various entities. While Centurion Health has been contacted for comments, an Indiana Department of Correction spokesperson declined to comment.
Claims of Medical Neglect
Reports have surfaced regarding inadequate medical care inside ICE detention facilities. The Trump administration has encountered criticisms related to missed treatments and insufficient care. Grigoryan’s complaint outlines staffing shortages disrupting detainees’ access to medications. On January 22, Grigoryan reportedly did not receive his morning dose of Keppra, leading to a severe seizure.
The complaint mentions that Grigoryan sustained a head injury during the seizure and lay in a pool of blood until staff arrived. He received treatment at a local hospital for a head wound before returning to the facility the same day. The issue of unavailable medication was not isolated. The lawsuit alleges recurring instances of missed doses, sometimes due to the facility running out of Keppra.
Incidents of Alleged Pepper-Spraying
The second lawsuit filed by Grigoryan claims that after returning from the hospital, he was instructed to prepare for a housing unit transfer. Despite experiencing post-seizure effects, he questioned the officers without showing aggression or resistance. The lawsuit contends that officers sprayed him with pepper spray through a cell door opening, causing significant distress.
The complaint details the officers entering the cell, handcuffing him, and moving him without allowing for proper decontamination from the spray. Grigoryan allegedly had to use a sink in a new cell to attempt cleaning himself.
Constitutional Violations and Criticisms
Both lawsuits claim Grigoryan’s 14th Amendment rights were violated. The lawsuit against Centurion Health cites inadequate medical care, while the action against the correctional officers challenges the force used. The ACLU of Indiana, representing Grigoryan, criticized the actions as unconstitutional. ACLU’s legal director, Ken Falk, condemned the denial of essential medication and subsequent pepper-spraying.
Scrutiny on Miami Correctional Facility
The Miami Correctional Facility has faced increased scrutiny over detainee medical treatment. Besides Grigoryan’s case, the facility has witnessed the deaths of two detainees this year, sparking allegations of delay and subpar medical care. Cambodian national Lorth Sim reportedly died after not receiving vital diabetes medication, while Vietnamese national Tuan Van Bui also died while in ICE custody.
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