Rolette County (trfnews.i234.me)—In a landmark decision, the family of Lacey Higdem, a 19-year-old woman who died in Rolette County Jail in 2020, has been awarded a $2 million settlement. This resolution addresses allegations of negligence and deliberate indifference by county officials and correctional officers.
In June 2020, law enforcement discovered Higdem in a distressed and hallucinating state in the woods near Belcourt, North Dakota. She was under the influence of methamphetamine and was subsequently taken to a hospital for medical clearance before being booked into Rolette County Jail on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
While in custody, Higdem exhibited severe symptoms consistent with a methamphetamine overdose, including hallucinations, inability to stand, self-injury, and incontinence. Despite these alarming signs and repeated pleas from fellow inmates for medical intervention, correctional officers reportedly failed to provide necessary assistance. Instead, they were allegedly engaged in watching television and other inattentive behaviors. Higdem was found unresponsive approximately nine hours after her admission and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
The lawsuit, filed by Higdem’s mother, Jessica Allen, accused Rolette County and two former correctional officers of showing deliberate indifference to Higdem’s critical medical needs. The case was overseen by U.S. District Court Judge Peter Welte. The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund will cover the $2 million settlement.
This settlement is considered one of the largest of its kind in North Dakota, highlighting significant concerns regarding inmate care and the responsibilities of correctional facilities. It underscores the imperative for proper medical attention and adherence to protocol within the penal system to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
I’m Chris Harper, and I’m reporting for TRF News.
Did you know? The Rolette County Jail faced prior scrutiny for non-compliance with inmate safety standards, leading to a temporary shutdown by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation following Higdem’s death.