A woman who suffered a medical emergency in her cell at the Bexar County jail earlier this year died of complications from sickle cell disease, the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled
CaSandra Monette Pearson, 29, died of sickle cell disease complicated by profound anemia and hemodynamic shock, according to the medical examiner’s office. Her manner of death was ruled natural
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Pearson’s family has previously called for an independent investigation into Pearson’s death, saying she belonged in a hospital and not in a jail cell
Relatives said the mother of one was diagnosed with sickle cell disease as a child and later developed opioid use disorder while trying to manage chronic pain. They also said she struggled with mental health issues
Pearson is one of seven inmates who have died this year at the Bexar County jail amid ongoing calls for reform. The jail is regarded as one of the deadliest in the state
Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that causes blood cells to become misshapen, which can block blood flow and cause severe pain. The condition can lead to anemia, or low levels of healthy red blood cells
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Hemodynamic shock occurs when vital tissues and organs don’t receive enough red blood cells, causing “severe dysfunction,” according to a 2008 study on the condition, which noted that it “usually results in death” when left untreated
Many people with sickle cell disease live well into adulthood, although their life expectancy is about 20 years shorter than the general population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The disease can lead to life-threatening complications, including infections, stroke, pulmonary hypertension, organ damage and deep vein thrombosis
Family calls for answers
Pearson had been in custody for about two months before her death. She was arrested March 9 after a nurse at Methodist Hospital Stone Oak reported that Pearson assaulted them, according to a San Antonio Police Department incident report
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Family members said Pearson “lived in the hospital” because of her medical conditions and had previously been combative with medical staff
Pearson’s mother said she remained in regular contact with jail staff, who she said were aware of her daughter’s diagnosis. According to her mother, staff repeatedly assured her that Pearson was receiving appropriate care
At a vigil following Pearson’s death, family members alleged she lost about 22 pounds while in custody, dropping from about 135 pounds to 113 pounds. They said they believe the weight loss reflected her declining health
A custodial death report filed with the Texas Attorney General’s Office says that Pearson showed signs of medical problems during her time in custody but does not provide further details on her care at the jail. She did not show signs of mental health problems while in custody, according to the report
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The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. The agency has previously declined to comment on the family’s allegations and said it could not discuss the specifics of Pearson’s medical care while she was in custody
University Health, which provides medical care at the jail, previously said in a written statement that federal privacy laws prevented it from releasing information about individual patients
“When a patient comes into the Bexar County Detention Center with a medical condition, they are screened and offered appropriate treatment for both mental and physical health issues,” University Health said
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