LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A lawsuit blames Los Angeles County and others for the death of a woman who was suffering from withdrawal symptoms while in custody and adds her remains were mistreated.
The Estate of Amanda Bews, by and through its successors-in-interest A.S.R., and others filed a complaint Nov. 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against County of Los Angeles, Fresno Cremation Company and others, alleging negligence, wrongful death, deliberate indifference and other claims.
According to the plaintiffs' complaint, Bews was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting in September of 2022 and admitted to recent heroin and alcohol use to the arresting officers. She was taken to the hospital prior to being booked into jail.
They claim the hospital summary report indicated Bews needed to be taken to an acute care facility where she could receive consistent monitoring. The plaintiffs allege that on Sept. 9, 2022, Bews, a day after being booked into the jail, was found unresponsive.
They claim that jail staff stopped treating Bews for detox and withdrawal and the medical staff failed to adequately monitor her health or administer sufficient dosages of medication, which led to her death. They further claim at the time of her death, Bews showed signs of dehydration and vomit in her airway.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Timothy Scott and Lauren Williams of McKenzie Scott PC in San Diego.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California case number 2:23-CV-09775-PA-JPR