Negligence Alleged Against Sheriff's Department After Woman Disappears After Release From Custody
The family of Mitrice Richardson has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department dissapears for negligence Ms. Richardson was last seen in the custody of the Malibu/Lost Hills sheriff’s station on. Sept. 17, 2009; she has been missing since she was released early that same morning.
Ms. Richardson, 24, was arrested at a Malibu restaurant for not paying her dinner bill. She was arrested and taken to the sheriff’s station until she was released, apparently without benefit of her car, cell-phone or purse.
Investigators from the Los Angeles Police Department say there is evidence that she was suffering from severe bipolar disorder.
A key issue in the civil case appears to be the fact that law enforcement personnel could have held her for a mental evaluation and neglected to do so despite witnesses’ observation about her extremely odd and irrational behavior. The Sheriff’s Department has steadfastly maintained that she appeared and spoke normally while in custody.
Investigators maintain the possibility that she could turn up alive — in which case portions of the legal claim would need to be amended.
For more information about the rights of individuals seriously injured due to the negligent actions of others, please call John A. Bahe, Jr. directly at (866) 587-0002 or e-mail him at john@bccjlaw.com.
