SANTA PAULA : City Rejects Family’s Claims in Jail Death
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The city of Santa Paula on Monday rejected six claims filed by the family of a 23-year-old man who died in the Santa Paula Jail of a drug overdose in early September.
The claims were submitted to the city Dec. 11 by relatives of Daniel Guajardo, including his widow, Frances Marie. The claims were for unspecified amounts, city officials said.
Guajardo’s family had been critical of Santa Paula police for not taking Guajardo to the hospital after he was arrested Sept. 3 on suspicion of being under the influence of cocaine. Guajardo was found dead in jail 10 hours after his arrest.
Santa Paula Police Chief Walter H. Adair said at the time that his officers followed proper procedure and had no way of knowing that Guajardo’s life was in danger.
In October, the Ventura County district attorney’s office cleared the Santa Paula Police Department of any wrongdoing in the case and concluded that Guajardo died from ingesting lethal doses of cocaine and lidocaine.
City officials said the family may now file suit in Superior Court.
Douglas L. Stenzel, a Ventura attorney representing the family, could be not reached for comment.
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