Abraham Paetow Died At Larimer County Jail

Inmate Abraham Paetow, 44, of Longmont, Died At Larimer County Jail

LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO (February 1, 2024) – A 44-year-old inmate identified as Abraham Paetow has tragically died while staying at the Larimer County Jail.

Larimer County officials are saying that the incident first began around 8:15 p.m. on January 6. Correctional officers were performing routine wellness checks when they discovered Abraham Paetow was unresponsive in his cell.

Medical staff began life-saving measures which were taken over by paramedics. He was able to be resuscitated before being transported to the hospital.

Abraham Paetow was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Larimer County Inmate Deaths

Colorado has a higher rate of inmate death compared to the national average. According to Colorado Springs Indy, “Colorado’s inmate death rate is 1.64 per 1,000 inmates, compared to the national inmate death rate of 1.46.” Suicide is the second leading cause of death for inmates after illness. There are a number of factors that can contribute to an inmate death.

• Inmates are statistically more likely to enter the jail system with pre-existing health conditions.
• Inmates are often forced to be in jails that are overcrowded.
• Inmates are more likely to enter the jail system with substance abuse issues.
• The stressors that jails impose on inmates often exasperate the health conditions that inmate’s already have.

Jails have a legal obligation to provide all inmates with healthcare for their medical needs. The level of care that any inmate may need will depend on their unique health profile. At a minimum, all inmates will need periodic wellness checks during their stay. These checks can help determine if an inmate is in medical distress. There are a number of ways that a jail may have failed to properly care for an inmate.

• A jail may have failed to give an inmate the medication that they needed.
• A jail may have failed to get an inmate to the hospital in a timely manner.
• A jail may have failed to follow the instructions of jail medical officials.

Jail deaths can be very complex. They tend not to be the result of the inaction or poor decisions of a single person. It is far more common that inmate deaths are the result of poor systems and faulty processes within any jail system. It is important that all evidence is properly preserved after any inmate death. Evidence will ultimately reveal what caused any inmate death and whether or not jail medical neglect may have been a factor.

Investigating Larimer County Inmate Deaths

We at Scott H. Palmer, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Abraham Paetow. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. State officials need to do their part and consider measures to prevent other tragedies like this.

Do you need more information about a Larimer County inmate death? Our team of civil rights attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping inmates understand their rights and holding jails accountable for their unconstitutional actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 469-966-7614.