Parents file $20 million suit in Washington Co. jail death

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The parents of a heroin-addicted woman who died in the Washington County Jail after reportedly writing notes asking for medical help have filed a $20 million lawsuit against the county and the health contractor that had been providing medical services at the jail.

Twenty-six-year-old Madaline Pitkin died in April 2014 at the jail, where she was detoxing after being charged with heroin possession.

Pitkin’s parents on Wednesday filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Corizon Health, Inc. and Washington County, alleging staff failed to act quickly enough as her health declined.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported in an investigative piece earlier this year that Pitkin was in deteriorating health while in jail and had written four pleas for help before she died.