Family of inmate who died at Santa Cruz County Jail files lawsuit

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) The family of Tamario Smith has filed a lawsuit against the Santa Cruz County Jail and other agencies, alleging "longstanding and systemic deficiencies" that ultimately lead to the death of Tamario Smith.

 Tamario Smith was only 20 years old when he was found facedown in his cell, surrounded by a mysterious liquid and his own body fluids. Smith was being held on a felony charge at the Santa Cruz County Jail.

Dr. Katz, the psychologist who was assigned to examine Smith, was their establish whether Smith suffered from a psychiatric illness and recommend a course of treatment.

He determined that Smith suffered from Schizophrenia with a severe level of psychosis including a kidney disorder.

Jonathan Gettleman and Elizabeth Caballero, the Smith Family lawyers feel that more should have been done to prevent his death.

"He was not receiving the psychological care that he needed for his significant schizophrenic disorder and he was also not receiving the medical care that he needed for his kidney disorder," says Gettleman.

Tamia Warren-Smith, the twin sister of Smith says she was devastated to hear the loss of her brother.

"When I found out that my brother did pass away, I felt like a piece of me was gone. I feel like the other half of me is gone. I feel just sad, just knowing that I can't get anything back. I can't hug him again. I can't touch him again and I can't hear again. It was heartbreaking," says Warren-Smith

The lawsuit says a number of factors lead to Smith's untimely death, including insufficient medical treatment for his mental and health issues.

The Defendants have yet to file a response. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's says that it cannot comment on pending litigation.