Family Of Fulton Inmate Found Unresponsive In Jail Cell Speaks

DECATUR, GA — The family of a man who was recently found unresponsive at the Fulton County Jail, later dying at a local hospital, remembered him Thursday as a loving person who was not harmful.

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday Shawndre Delmore, 24, was found unresponsive in his cell on Aug. 31 during a routine check and was pronounced dead Sunday at Grady Memorial Hospital. Authorities said jail staff attempted lifesaving measures.

The family is seeking answers, and Family Attorney Mawuli Davis' office has launched an investigation into Delmore's death. Davis claimed Delmore's death was not natural.

"He didn't deserve to die like this," Natasha Holoman, Delmore's mother, said at a news conference. "He had his whole life ahead of him."

Davis said Delmore left the county jail unconscious before being pronounced dead at Grady. Davis said Delmore's family told him Delmore was a healthy man.

Holoman said prior to his death, she received a call notifying her that Delmore was admitted into the intensive care unit. Davis said when the family arrived a day after Delmore went into the ICU, Delmore was on life support.

"I want answers," Holoman said. "I want to know what happened to my son. I want to know why he had to die."

Davis said a compassion release bond, which is a signature bond, was issued after Delmore entered the Grady ICU. He surmised the bond was an attempt to indicate Delmore did not die while at the jail.

"Whatever happened to him happened to him at the Fulton County Jail," Davis said.

The sheriff's office said it did not any further statements past Wednesday's initial news release announcing Delmore's death.

Authorities said in the release Delmore was arrested on April 1 by the Atlanta Police Department and was charged on suspicion of second-degree burglary and willful obstruction of law enforcement officers.

He was booked at the Fulton County Jail and was being held on a $2,500 bond for the burglary charge and signature bond for the obstruction charge, authorities said.

The Atlanta Police Department will conduct a death investigation and the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy, authorities said.

"This is supposed to be America," Davis said. "This is supposed to be where people are able to (be) innocent until proven guilty; and, no matter what they are supposed to be able to live in humane conditions, even if accused on a crime."

Delmore's death comes in the midst of controversy concerning the Fulton County Jail. The Department of Justice launched a civil investigation on July 13 into living conditions at the jail.

Justice officials said in a news release the probe will also examine the jail's ability to protect people from violence and whether Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff's Office discriminate against people diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities inside of the jail.

The DOJ's Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section is leading the investigation alongside the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Northern District of Georgia.