In a tragic case that underscores the dire consequences of inadequate medical care in detention facilities, the co-administrators of an 18-year-old detainee’s estate have filed a lawsuit against multiple parties, including healthcare providers and correctional officers. The complaint was lodged by Claudia Milena Campos Duarte and Barry David Solarz on January 9, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, targeting Rappahannock Creative Health Care and several individuals for their alleged roles in the death of Juan Felipe Mejia Campos.
The lawsuit paints a harrowing picture of neglect and mismanagement at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center, where Mejia Campos was held as a pretrial detainee. The plaintiffs allege that despite clear signs of severe medical distress due to opioid withdrawal, Mejia Campos was denied critical care that could have saved his life. According to the complaint, on March 27, 2024, Nurse Vesha Wright observed alarming symptoms in Mejia Campos that warranted immediate hospitalization. However, her recommendation was overruled by Nurse Blanca Romero. The complaint states that “Nurse Romero falsely claimed that a scheduled JMAT appointment could substitute for emergency medical care,” which ultimately led to Mejia Campos’ death from cardiac arrhythmia caused by chronic opioid abuse.
The narrative further accuses correctional officers Robert Dean, Jeremy Edwards, and Oluwatimilehin Ogunlana of gross negligence. Officer Ogunlana allegedly witnessed Mejia Campos crawling on his hands and knees in distress but failed to summon medical help. Similarly, Officers Dean and Edwards are accused of providing false testimony about wellness checks and failing to act on obvious signs of medical emergencies. The plaintiffs argue these actions violated Mejia Campos’ Fourteenth Amendment rights to adequate medical care.
Seeking justice for what they describe as deliberate indifference and gross negligence leading to wrongful death and medical malpractice, the plaintiffs demand compensatory damages amounting to $2 million. They also seek punitive damages, attorney fees, and other costs related to pursuing this legal action.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Jonathan E. Halperin and Andrew Lucchetti from Glen Allen, Virginia. The case is under Case No. 1:26-cv-63.
Source: 126cv00063_Duarte_v_Rappahannock_Creative_Health_Care_Complaint_Eastern_District_Virginia.pdf
