Parents of Woman Who Died in Jail File $20 Million Suit

There is one thing that most everyone involved in the case of Madaline Pitkin agrees with - that she shouldn't have died. Even the Washington County Sheriff who oversees the jail where she was being held, admitted to having been "shocked and dismayed" at the lack of medical treatment she received.

Pitkin, who had been arrested on heroin charges on April 16, 2014, was found dead in her cell eight days later. He repeated requests for medical help had been ignored.

"This is a 3rd or 4th call for help," she wrote in a note the day before she died. "I haven’t been able to keep food, liquids, meds down in days ... I feel like I am very close to death. Can’t hear, seeing lights, hearing voices. Please help me ..."

On Wednesday, her parents filed a $20 million suit against Corizon Health - which had been contracted to provide medical care at the time - as well as Washington County, Sheriff Pat Garrett, and others.

"I express my deepest sympathies and condolences to Ms. Pitkin's family and friends," Garrett said in a statement Wednesday. "Madaline Pitkin's death was a tragedy, and we remain committed to taking decisive steps to make sure that we have the highest level of health care available.

"The circumstances of her death appear to indicate her medical care, provided by the contracted health care provider, Corizon, was inadequate."

Garrett said that when Pitkin was in jail, "deputies repeatedly expressed concern about her condition to Corizon staff."

The Oregonian's Rebecca Woolington told Pitkin's story in a well-reported, detailed article.

Corizon, which is based in Tennessee, has been replaced as the medical provider for the Washington County Jail.