OCSD Released Inmate Who Unknowingly Infected Family With COVID-19

ORANGE (CBSLA) — An Orange County jail launched half of its inmates within the wake of the worsening coronavirus pandemic, however a type of launched was unknowingly contaminated with the virus and unfold it to his household — together with his mom who on Monday was preventing for her life.

Stefani Espinosa stated she and her mom, Belinda Rodriguez, contracted COVID-19 after her brother was launched from Theo Lacy Jail with out first getting his COVID-19 check consequence. (Stefani Espinosa photograph)

“How do you explain that to a 4-year-old that, you know, Nona might not come home,” Stefani Espinosa, the person’s sister stated.

Espinosa, who was isolating in her bed room after additionally contracting the sickness, stated she would fairly be together with her mother, 65-year-old Belinda Rodriguez, who’s battling COVID-19 within the intensive care unit.

“It’s just shocking that in a matter of days, you know, she could be in this stage where we don’t know if she’s gonna make it through the night,” she stated of her mom.

The household’s ordeal began two weeks in the past when Espinosa stated her brother was launched early from Theo Lacy Jail. He was examined two days earlier than being launched, however didn’t get his check outcomes previous to his launch. He then went to the condominium the place Espinosa and her mom reside for a quick go to.

The following day, Espinosa stated her brother referred to as the jail to ask about his belongings. She stated that’s when he was informed he had examined constructive for COVID-19.

“Even though our exposure was minimal, we still isolated and went to go get tested,” she stated.

Espinosa stated the primary assessments for each her and her mother, who has diabetes, got here again destructive. But a number of days later, they each began experiencing signs and a subsequent spherical of testing got here again constructive.

“And then Christmas morning, when I went to go get her to open presents, she could barely walk down the hallway,” Espinosa stated.

Rodriguez was rushed to the emergency room at Orange Coast Memorial Hospital, and on Sunday she was intubated after her oxygen stage dropped.

Espinosa stated she needs the Orange County Sheriff’s Department would have saved her brother in custody till his check outcomes got here again.

“How they could release my brother without letting him know his results,” she stated. “It was one day, and they couldn’t wait to release him.”

OCSD launched a press release that stated, partly:

“When inmates are released and have medical needs including COVID, OC Health has a process in place to make contact during the release process to provide information. If they need to contact them after release, they use the information the inmate provided when they were booked into jail.”

The division stated it couldn’t touch upon the actual case of Espinosa’s brother, however stated that there have been 1,400 inmates launched early that the Orange County Health Care Agency will probably be following up with if crucial.

“Wear your mask and do the right thing,” Espinosa stated. “Real people are dying that have families and people that love them.”