Facts

Decedent, John Horton, the son of plaintiff Helen Jones, was found dead in his cell at the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail on March 30, 2009 at 4 a.m. All parties agreed that the cause of Horton's death was disputed and that he died either due to blunt force trauma or suicide by hanging. The time of death was unknown.

The only Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy responsible for working on the cellblock where Horton was housed was defendant Deputy Christopher Kidder. It was undisputed that Kidder left the deputy module between midnight and 2 a.m. and did not ensure another deputy or supervisor took over the module while he was gone. It was also undisputed that Kidder again left the module between approximately 2:15 a.m. and 3:45 a.m. Again, he did not ensure another deputy or supervisor took over the module while he was gone. Kidder found Horton dead at approximately 3:45 a.m. during a security check.

Injuries

Plaintiff claims she suffered emotional distress as a result of her son's death.

Result

Dismissal.