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Woman Locked in a Cell for Four Days Without Food or Water

sfgate.com — A bailiff who forgot about a woman locked in a courthouse holding cell and left her there for four days without food, water or access to a bathroom has been suspended for 30 days but will keep his job, officials said Wednesday. This is just outrageous, the dude actually gets to keep his job!

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  • sneakeykop, on 03/15/2008, -50/+14welcome to the african american experience....VIP SECTION
    • OrangeTide, on 03/15/2008, -7/+23happens to whites all the time too. Let's not pretend that blacks have a monopoly on being victims. And if blacks are so often victims of the government, then I wonder why they should support socialist candidates that only want to enhance the people's dependence on the government?
      • threemagic, on 03/15/2008, -4/+6It's true, whites can be victims too.. I also know I'm not fundamentally hated just because the color of my skin by a large number of people.
        • LordVance, on 03/15/2008, -0/+12Is your skin some strange shade of purple? I cannot think of a single color your skin could be that doesn't carry some prejudices by a large number of people.
        • sougly, on 03/16/2008, -0/+2I hate purple people.
          • altrego99, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1Especially the greenish purple ones.
      • TheOther1, on 03/15/2008, -4/+9You forget many make a living being professional victims. Just ask Jessie and Al.
        • eeevildictator, on 03/15/2008, -2/+3404 JESSE AND AL NOT FOUND
        • RungeKutta, on 03/15/2008, -2/+2What are you talking about?
          • bitterbug, on 03/15/2008, -2/+2They're hinting at Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton
    • CrazedLeper, on 03/16/2008, -6/+2It really doesn't come close to the rapes, hangings, castrations, kidnappings, framings and systematic disenfranchisement which African Americans continue to enjoy in this country. The best part: white people really believe it's over with. It's so not. They fail to realize the power computers has given their evil, evil government to hurt people from a distance. What do you think they are doing with the census data? Answer: "whatever they want".
      • gfnw, on 03/17/2008, -0/+2Racism is bad and all, but seriously, shut the ***** up you loon.
  • Nomadelle, on 03/15/2008, -4/+169How exactly do you forget that you have a human being in a cell? If someone does that to an animal, everyone cries outrage. I can't believe they didn't fire this bailiff! That is pure irresponsibility.
    • waspbr, on 03/15/2008, -3/+21I agree, if that was an animal the guy/ state would have been prosecuted for animal cruelty. At the very least the state would have to be prosecuted for violation of human rights.
    • Shawshanksr, on 03/15/2008, -8/+2i agree that its irresponsibility... its also neglect to a severe extent. this man should be punished severely. if it was up to me i would have him placed in a cell in the same conditions
    • doommetal, on 03/15/2008, -13/+8goddamn animal rights activists - I can't stand those hypocrites
    • shadow010, on 03/15/2008, -6/+1Apparently it sounds as if him and his boss both value work over people. The natural order of things will eventually punish them horribly for that, but you'll have to wait. You probably wont hear about anything though, news reports don't cover divorces and families breaking up.
    • thesonofdarwin, on 03/15/2008, -1/+10While some animal cases get covered by the media IF the person gets prosecuted, very, very rarely do they. Work for your local animal shelter some time taking complaints and going out with the humane officers. You'll learn right quick that the laws governing animals are sparse and owners can get away with pretty much anything they want, even when caught. So I agree this case in tragic, but please, don't try to tell us that the cases involving animals get more attention, because that just reeks of ignorance. Get some experience in the shelter and veterinary field before making such assumptions.
    • markdall, on 03/15/2008, -1/+3From what I had read earlier the guy was new at the job and was "a wreck" after what happened.
      • diggimator, on 03/16/2008, -0/+3FWIW, the article says he was employed since 2005.
    • dattaway, on 03/15/2008, -1/+3If the guy isn't responsible, perhaps his supervisor should be for not giving him the proper training.
    • CrazedLeper, on 03/16/2008, -3/+2I don't agree with a woman being abandoned in a cell for 4 days but it was a mistake. I have to agree with the censure rather than a termination. The officer will probably not make that mistake again.
    • B3000, on 03/16/2008, -0/+6The problem is not that the guy forgot - we all forget things on a regular basis. The problem is that the court didn't have any back-up systems in place to account for human error. They have now implemented these safety systems that should have been in place years ago, so no one will be forgotten in the future regardless of anyones forgetfulness.
    • qwertydvorak, on 03/16/2008, -0/+4it's ok because he said, "my bad" when he found her.
    • sierrabrianne, on 03/20/2008, -0/+0Why would he be allowed to keep his job...who's to say he won't forget that he locked up a human being and deprive them of food and water and toilet for too long next time? then is it murder or does he get to keep his job then too?
  • redgrl, on 03/15/2008, -9/+77same thing happened recently in Indianapolis... guy was left in cell from Friday afternoon to Monday morning after being in court - altho he had water and a toilet - just no food. I think 3 or 4 CO's where disciplined. The lowest man in the hierarchy was fired. Personally I think that's BS - there are body counts constantly so SOMEBODY had to approve and gloss over the incorrect counts. Doubt it was the lowly CO walkin the range.

    Having been through the system myself... I'm really surprised it doesn't happen more often. I'm not defending - I'm just gonna tell it like it is... Jails/Prisons are overcrowded and CO's are understaffed and overworked. You can either be a bitcher and a whiner about it and then not get any response from the CO's when you ACTUALLY need it, or you can sit down and shut-the-f*ck-up and deal. If you don't learn patience on the inside/otherside of those bars... ya ain't never gonna learn it. So, probably these ppl knew the deal - weren't bitches and whiners and so this happens. If that's the worse that happens to you on the inside... count yourself lucky.

    BTW - using the race card is lame. ***** happens no matter your color.
    • OrangeTide, on 03/15/2008, -1/+17could be worse. cops took a special interest in my cousin (who is white) and beat him a bit, then put him in a straight jacket and tossed him in the filthiest drunk tank face down in some left over vomit (not his).
      When you aren't paying competitive wages for corrections officers you're not going to get the quality that we demand here in America.
      • popfrogs, on 03/15/2008, -5/+2Tell your cousin to quit ***** up and he'll probably stay out of jail.
    • ConfirmedCynic, on 03/15/2008, -1/+9I see. So now expecting to actually be fed and given water makes you a bitcher and a whiner?
    • secrity, on 03/15/2008, -0/+5The jail was not overcrowded, she was the only prisoner in there. Why should she be expected to "sit down and shut-the-f*ck-up and deal" with being left for ~4 days with no food, water, or toilet facilities? Four days is close to the lower threshold for dying from dehydration.
    • CrazedLeper, on 03/16/2008, -2/+3I'm really taking a strong disliking to people who use the phrase "race card". It's not a game. People have been seriously abused in the US as a national pastime for hundreds of years.

      Big Brother released a massive media campaign and, suddenly, everyone believes racism ended in one generation. It has not stopped. The appearance of equality is given through distorted media presentations. "Separate and not equal" is the reality with which we all live--whether or not you *want* to believe that is irrelevant. The imagery of the "race card" is a thought stopper just like the "tinfoil cap"'; designed to associate incredulity on a whim. Anyone using the phrase "race card" is the one who is "playing" it.
      • nextyoyoma, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1First, correlation doesn't equal causation.

        Second, nobody is saying that racism doesn't exist, but you can't deny that people often blame things on race just to take an easy out.
  • JimmySpaza, on 03/15/2008, -28/+11"Mexican consul Andres Chao visited Torres-Flores and county officials Tuesday and offered "the highest protest of the Mexican government" over her treatment. On Wednesday he described the sheriff's decision as "unacceptable.""

    This lady's treatment was deplorable, yes. But, having a Mexican government official say this is the pot calling the kettle black. American prisoners are treated well compared to Mexican jails. Mexico should just shut up.
    • Acewrap, on 03/15/2008, -3/+12Mexico has a right to defend and be concerned about it's citizens. Besides, we always tell you you should just shut up, but you don't listen either, Jim.
      • TheOther1, on 03/15/2008, -2/+7If Mexico cares so much about its citizens, maybe it should get them the ***** out of the US.
        • popfrogs, on 03/15/2008, -2/+3Nah, it'd rather print maps showing people where it's safe to cross, then bitch when their citizens get arrested. They're the biggest hypocrites ever when it comes to this kind of treatment. Ask any immigrant who's Hispanic but not Mexican how they get treated in Mexico.
    • MellerTime, on 03/15/2008, -1/+8I think the fact that even a Mexican official is outraged should tell you something... Besides, aren't you saying our moral standards are better than theirs? Shouldn't we actually hold ourselves to that moral standard?
      • hypertension, on 03/15/2008, -1/+4It tells me that he's not missing an opportunity to take a shot at the US.
    • michael43, on 03/15/2008, -0/+1Two wrongs don't make a right.
    • expatcatalyst, on 03/15/2008, -2/+2The sheep don't like the truth bro, that's why they are digging you down. I dugg you up as much as possible...
  • Jcarcutt, on 03/15/2008, -6/+21This is not about race. This would have been a horrible experience for anyone of any color and it seems this bailiff just plain forgot about this poor soul. It could have been anyone .. of any race. In any case, this guy needs to keep his job so he can pay out the reward this woman is going to get in civil court.
    • Rysac1, on 03/15/2008, -4/+5Ah, but since she is an illegal immigrant she cannot bring forth a civil case.
      • Rysac1, on 03/15/2008, -1/+8oops tried to edit, but failed, illegal immigrants can sue
        • smotpoker, on 03/15/2008, -0/+2Assuming they have $5,000 saved from their $1.50/hr jobs to pay a lawyer (or *maybe* an airtight case with clear/easily accessible evidence) which is very rarely the case.
    • smotpoker, on 03/15/2008, -1/+5***** that, as someone who has lost multiple jobs from arrest over victimless "crimes" and then been re-arrested for inability to pay related fines, I say subject that moron to the same punishments and apathy anyone else would have to face.
      A uniform is supposed to be a tool to help uphold the law, not provide immunity to it. Perhaps if more people in business suits and uniforms were subject to the same abuses as everyone else they would think twice about how they treat people, what punishments they are subjected to and why
    • CrazedLeper, on 03/16/2008, -2/+3How do you know it's not about race? A white person is, statistically, better able to afford legal defense which would have had him/her out with one phone call. Also a white person is less likely to have been arrested in the first place. It's *always* about race in America; that is America's purpose--or did you forget about Manifest Destiny? I assure you, your corrupt, lying leaders have not forgotten.
  • hidefchef, on 03/15/2008, -1/+14So much for using a computer to keep tabs on the inmates. Error between the keyboard and the chair.
    • brutalentropy, on 03/15/2008, -1/+9PEBKAC.
    • netant, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1Computer is not an excuse. Guard is supposed to patrol the cells at least once during their shift. Its the only way to know if someone's excaped, or dying in their cell.
  • Rysac1, on 03/15/2008, -7/+64That guard should be fired and punished for his actions, even though she survived her stay....what if she was diabetic or had another life threatening condition that requires daily medicine? She would be dead right now because of that guard. He did something that endangered someone's life, if that isn't negligence I don't know what is.
    • TomK88, on 03/15/2008, -0/+18Civil court. Shouldn't be a difficult case to win.
      • PHiZ187, on 03/15/2008, -0/+2She's not a citizen. Can she sue and say that her civil rights have been violated? If she is allowed to sue, can she be deported before her court date? These are legitimate legal questions. An immigration attorney would probably know the answers.
        • 4UIDigg, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1non-citizens have the same basic human rights as citizens, yes, she can sue in civil court
          • PHiZ187, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1Do they? Can you cite me some authority for that?
    • OrangeTide, on 03/15/2008, -3/+10people who have jobs almost kill people all the time. an employer has to figure out the difference between incompetent and malicious. the theory is that if a worker makes mistake and narrowly avoids disaster, they will have learned a valuable lesson and never make that mistake again. (if they do, then you fire their ass).
  • oreonblade, on 03/15/2008, -2/+63"...my philosophy is if an employee makes a mistake while trying their best to perform their duties, I will try to salvage them."

    Making a typo in a report is a mistake. Leaving someone without food or water for 4 days is gross negligence that could've cost a life.
  • manoftheisland, on 03/15/2008, -5/+33if you work for the government you cant get fired... period
    • shadeOfGrey, on 03/15/2008, -0/+9Oh the joy of being a monopoly.
    • swicklund, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1I'll bet there's a lot of truth in that. I'm guessing the super just doesn't want to go through the paperwork required to terminate them!
  • MalaysianMafia, on 03/15/2008, -23/+6She was an Illegal, why didn't they just ship her back to friggen Mexico?
    • overtoke, on 03/15/2008, -4/+5She's lived here for 15 years and has 3 (citizen) children.
      • heliox, on 03/15/2008, -3/+3And your point is what?
        • hypertension, on 03/15/2008, -0/+3Legally, they're anchor babies, so she won't be deported.

          Still, it seems I'm in the minority when I say it's a shame that she's been in the US for 15+ years, and still isn't working a productive job. I wonder if she even speaks English.

          • heliox, on 03/18/2008, -0/+1Of course not. And I am in the extreme minority that says she SHOULD be deported. She has the option of taking the kids with her or leaving them here with other LEGAL residents.
    • hypertension, on 03/15/2008, -3/+8Because letting a woman who has been breaking multiple laws for over *15* years and isn't even in the slightest way productive, selling pirated CDs, who has only contributed 3 anchor babies which further strain US resources and infrastructure... because letting that happen makes Americans feel good about themselves.

      And not tolerating that just makes you filthy nazi racist. Shame on you, racist! That's why you got dugg down.
  • bonkeykong, on 03/15/2008, -13/+44I can't believe they let a woman out of her cage! This is an outrage.
    • popfrogs, on 03/15/2008, -0/+2Sardu and Ralphus unavailable for comment.
  • winnestow, on 03/15/2008, -6/+6You guys want a government employee to be held accountable for his actions? To say he should be fired?
  • dshey, on 03/15/2008, -6/+3oopsie!
  • RonnyIsRondo, on 03/15/2008, -10/+36Bet she will never sell pirated cds again huh?
    • dinostabOMG, on 03/15/2008, -0/+11Why not just waterboard her and get it over with, then?
      • skinny01, on 03/16/2008, -0/+3So they could say they did provide her with water and cut out half of her argument, no way!
  • nofx1510, on 03/15/2008, -16/+4Just in defense of the guard people make mistakes, he could of been having a bad week and completely forgot. ***** happens, sometimes it sucks major balls but it happens. Its not like he purposely did it.
    • nycmac247, on 03/15/2008, -0/+4Why do I think of the President when I hear people talk this way?
      OOOps!!!
    • smotpoker, on 03/15/2008, -1/+4If you are not responsible enough to perform your job competently, you shouldn't have it
    • expatcatalyst, on 03/15/2008, -1/+2Just remember, they must all be employed and never make mistakes, that's why they can be so critical.
      • smotpoker, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1Not life-threatening mistakes, no.
  • EuroMarkus, on 03/15/2008, -26/+11It was bad what happened to her.

    But, F-U to her Mexican lawyer. She is AN ILLEGAL ALIEN, she's lucky to be staying in the US Four Seasons Jail.

    Ask any kid on Spring Break in Mexico what jails are like. Bucket, in a cellar.
    • overtoke, on 03/15/2008, -3/+8People like you are pathetic.
      • EuroMarkus, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1You love me.
        Live in a state bordered by Mexico, and get back to me.
        I grew up in California and saw daily Mexicans running across the freeway.
        It's an invasion, why not let them live at your house?
    • iamnotrich, on 03/15/2008, -0/+1as stupid as your comment is, I still wouldn't wish you to spend 4 days locked without access to food, water and toilet.
    • EuroMarkus, on 03/16/2008, -1/+1I DO wish you 4 days in prison.

      I was posting on the lawyer's comments, not her treatment, *****.
  • suinmind, on 03/15/2008, -9/+5no food, no water, But no waterboarding either. She's lucky.
  • Khast, on 03/15/2008, -1/+9The court is supposed to put accountability into righting the wrongs. Great Example.
  • digitallysick, on 03/15/2008, -11/+6An eye for an eye, we should lock them up for 4 days with no food. It just goes to show you how people treat anyone considered a "criminal" even before trial, they treat you as if you aren't even human, worse than a dog.
    • dizilbdog, on 03/15/2008, -0/+8An eye for an eye and the whole world
      blind, "Ghandi"
    • smotpoker, on 03/15/2008, -0/+4I don't think they should do the same to him, especially if it was unintentional. I do however feel they should prosecute him and put him through the system like anyone else. If an average citizen were to leave a person they were responsible for locked in a room for 4 days they would almost certainly be charged with criminal negligence and lose their job (if they were watching them as part of employment or they couldn't afford to bail out).

      The fact that these people were alleged criminals and the person who neglected them was in a uniform has no relevance (at least not in a justice system that is as fair as people like to pretend ours is).

      If the authorities know who was directly responsible and there wasn't some giant emergency or some other mitigating factor, anyone should face charges for such a crime
  • NelsonR, on 03/15/2008, -16/+5In Mexico as an American you get nothing, either pay up or go to a rotting, infested and putrid cell. Illegals desire our compassion and right to come here totally illegal. Try reversing this and enter Mexico illegally and fly an American flag in Mexico, you will be dead. Screw the illegals who are bankrupting our social service system, hospitals and forcing wages down. Get the hell out, personally lived there one year and they hate Americans unless you wave a devalued dollar bill in front of their noses. Don't let them fool you they believe we stole their land and they will have it back. She should have been rocketed back to Mexico on the first flying taco.
    • hypertension, on 03/15/2008, -7/+3You're absolutely right. It's sad to see you dugg down, but the consensus among the left in the US is that it's ok to let Mexicans invade (which is exactly what they're doing), and that any criticism of this at all is racist.

      I live in Costa Rica, and they have the exact same problem with Nicaraguans. The only difference is that Costa Ricans don't call each other racists for opposing it.
      • overtoke, on 03/15/2008, -0/+1Ever heard of Manifest Destiny?
        • NelsonR, on 03/15/2008, -4/+1Ever heard of Mexican retribution? It's presently ongoing.
        • hypertension, on 03/15/2008, -2/+0*rolls my eyes*

          Sure was a bit stupid for Mexico to start a war with a country that believed in it, huh?
  • TomJohn, on 03/15/2008, -14/+1Is she 3 feet tall with a flat head?
    • Hurricane, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1Some people like YOU are just plain unexplainable in their ignorance and hate.
  • plr4ever, on 03/15/2008, -11/+3Does any one else think the name Torres-Flores is just to funny to have been a coincidence?
  • Cindy48DD, on 03/15/2008, -15/+1Something sounds fishy here, I thought no one could live more than 3 days without water?....maybe I am wrong...but please explain that since this post said 4 days with no water.
    • earther, on 03/15/2008, -4/+3I believe the story is she drank her urine to survive.
      • TomJohn, on 03/15/2008, -1/+4Yes, that was after cutting off her arm to escape from a bear trap.
    • thinman1189, on 03/16/2008, -1/+1It depends on the climate. If you're in the desert then it's about two days. If there was enough moisture in the air then it would be longer.
  • mark076h, on 03/15/2008, -12/+4i bet Scientology was involved
    • insertnewsn, on 03/15/2008, -1/+0Let's do some investigating, shall we?
    • Hurricane, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1She must not of paid enough for life sustaining materials during the audit session.
      $50,00 bottled water anyone???
  • dewyjuhl, on 03/15/2008, -16/+21Ok seriously, its not like this guy is some evil terrible person. He's just a guy. He made a huge mistake and I'm sure he feels terrible about it.
    Do you know whats going on in that bailiff's life right now? no you don't. So stop making death sentences for someone you have no information on.
    • petebert, on 03/15/2008, -3/+9stop using rationality on my digg, we're fire and pitchforks here!! burn him, burn him!!
    • ConfirmedCynic, on 03/15/2008, -1/+14The public is held accountable for its actions, intentional or not. Why should it be any different for an employee of a justice system.

      If someone left their child locked in a room for four days without food, water, etc., wouldn't you expect some sort of action? It's exactly the same situation in each case, with a person depending on that someone for the necessities of life.
      • dewyjuhl, on 03/15/2008, -4/+2Of course the person should be held accountable but you shouldn't say someone is a terrible person just because you read a news article.
      • heliox, on 03/15/2008, -1/+2I don't think Dew is saying he should go scott free. It's just a bad ***** up. Punish him, fire him whatever and move on
      • jeff303, on 03/16/2008, -3/+1I don't think he's saying the guy shouldn't be held accountable. He's just saying it was probably a mistake and we shouldn't be so quick to condemn him. How easily could any one of us screw up driving one day and run into someone in a crosswalk? Should your life be over at that point?
        • siszam, on 03/16/2008, -1/+3Yes!. My 14 year old nephew was killed when he was walking down the sidewalk and a drunk ran him down. The drunk left the scene, ran to a friends house, told the friend he had hit garbage cans. When the friend saw blood and hair and called the police the guy took off, abandoned his kid who was with him and hid for days so they could get him for hit and run but not for DUI. If you kill someone because you are a careless, dumbass then YES, your life should be over. The person you killed doesn't get a do over.
          • vault, on 03/16/2008, -0/+3Very sorry to hear that, siszam.
          • jeff303, on 03/16/2008, -0/+2I am sorry to hear about that, but DUI is very very different from what I was talking about. "If you kill someone because you are a careless, dumbass" - yes I agree. But what if your brakes fail and you accidentally hit someone? What if someone is jaywalking at night during a storm?
      • nextyoyoma, on 03/16/2008, -0/+3accountability doesn't mean your entire life should be ruined for making a mistake.
    • Pleased2CU, on 03/16/2008, -0/+2It is not unusual, during the summer, for a normally good parent or day-care van driver to "forget" the baby in the back of seat of a vehicle and leave it to die. In Tennessee, laws have been passed that mandate prosecution of such negligence (no matter whether the baby lives or dies). I think this falls under the same sort of umbrella.
    • Hurricane, on 03/16/2008, -0/+2If you kill somebody by accident it is still a crime, hopefully he will get a lawsuit against him and learn a leason when he is shipping half his paycheck to Mexico for the rest of his life.
  • motters, on 03/15/2008, -3/+8In my view anyone in a position of authority who treats someone like this ought themselves to be considered to have committed a criminal act and be sanctioned accordingly.
  • overtoke, on 03/15/2008, -1/+4"Torres-Flores, originally from the Mexican state of Zacatecas, has lived in the United States for at least 15 years and has three children who are U.S. citizens."
    • 2bees, on 03/15/2008, -1/+2She's just lucky it wasn't a mexican prison
    • Hurricane, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1People who have been overlooked for that long should have a way to get citizenship.
  • enri, on 03/15/2008, -1/+1At least he was suspended _without_ pay and they installed an "occupied" light.
    • Hurricane, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1Partial fix, however such a dangerous mistake puts him as high risk in the same line of work in the future.
  • Ell3, on 03/15/2008, -16/+4Leave her in the cell and throw away the key. She is an illegal alien from Mexico and I think most Americans would agree that there are way too many criminal illegal aliens in the USA.
    • hypertension, on 03/15/2008, -3/+5The fact that you're being dugg down unfortunately suggests otherwise.
    • peticsu, on 03/15/2008, -1/+4most americans do not agree you piece of *****
      • hypertension, on 03/16/2008, -3/+1Wow, you're really popular here.

        Well, according to you, most Americans want more illegal aliens here straining our resources and selling pirated *****. And anyone who disagrees is a "racist xenophobe."

        Would you say that Costa Ricans, who have the same problem, are racist xenophobes too?
    • reinventit, on 03/16/2008, -0/+2She is a racist c$nt who advocates violence every time it's mentioned. She need to have her visa revoked by public proclamation that resident aliens aren't allowed to advocate violence. She needs to be hunted with blood hounds like the slaves were and whipped then shackled.
  • dannyboy3020, on 03/15/2008, -4/+3"A bailiff who forgot about a woman locked in a courthouse holding cell and left her there for four days without food, water or access to a bathroom has been suspended for 30 days but will keep his job, officials said Wednesday."

    That is ALL we know about this situation. Nothing more. We don't know whether or not the bailiff actually intended to leave her.

    The problem with these articles is that they really give us no clue on what actually happened. Thus, it would probably be wise for all of us to pass judgment and not jump all over the bailiff without knowing the full situation.
    • smotpoker, on 03/15/2008, -0/+2Leaving someone you are responsible for 4 days is enough knowledge to prosecute anyone without substantial mitigating factors, intent or not. I don't think you realize how they justice system really works in this country (most people don't).
      Perhaps if officials were prosecuted in the same way we wouldn't have a lot of our current problems with crime, prison overcrowding and unemployment
      • dannyboy3020, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1Yes, I agree. What concerns me is the assertions many diggers are making regarding details of the event -- which are unavailable to us.
    • dannyboy3020, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1At first, I hoped that rationality would not be lost on digg.

      Then I saw I was being dugg down.
      • smotpoker, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1I feel ya, but consider we are assessing the situation based on the facts at hand and most people are conditioned to act or judge under such circumstances throughout our lives.
        Very rarely does anyone have all of the relevant facts related to a given situation regarding others, yet we are often encouraged to act/judge day-to-day based on what we *do* know (or think we know). I suppose eventually it becomes habitual and it isn't exactly illogical considering the fact that it is usually quite difficult or impossible to know all relevant facts pertaining to a given situation.
        Personally, I wouldn't be willing to sentence most people to jail time based on the facts at hand, but I would definitely at least fire the [ir]responsible individual or remove him from similar responsibilities for the time being at the very least. However, since the person in question is in an occupation that supports what is, in my experience, a very unjust and corrupt legal system, I feel it would be more beneficial to society to assure people who act in such a capacity realize what they truly are doing. I also feel that because of his occupation it is more likely that this case was intentional than I would if it involved someone else.
        That said, I am digging you up because I totally agree people shouldn't be so judgmental (which is my main motivation for advocating equal prosecution of government officials)
    • Ellidi, on 03/16/2008, -0/+0Intent or not, she was left in a cell for 4 days without food and water.
      How is that not enough to get someone fired?
  • michael43, on 03/15/2008, -1/+4The most surprising thing to me is there aren't checks and balances in place to insure this doesn't happen. I just assumed that someone, somewhere, in the judicial system would have foreseen the possibility of this happening at some point. But it's like they say, "Assume" makes an Ass- out of - u- and- me
    • BossKey, on 03/16/2008, -0/+2What amazed me was thinking of that South Park episode where a couple dies in jail because the sheriff forgot about them...written that way for extreme, unrealistic shock value, of course. But then it _does_ happen in real life, and you just don't know what to think about your "reality" anymore.
  • ConfirmedCynic, on 03/15/2008, -2/+10Simply unacceptable. The baliff should be charged with criminal negligence.
  • aphexcoil, on 03/15/2008, -10/+2No eatting for an entire weekend isn't that big of a deal -- I've done it plenty of times when I had a bad flu or cold. Not drinking anything for 3 days is a little more traumatic, though. I wouldn't call it "dangerous" per se but it isn't very good for the body.

    Poor woman. If this was an accident, I sincerely believe that the person in charge should not be fired. However, I do believe they owe that woman a huge apology and perhaps $500 as a settlement.
  • crimsonryno, on 03/15/2008, -1/+4That is why gov jobs are the best! You can get away with murder and keep your job. I guess they are to afraid of wrong full termination law suites to fire anyone.
  • weyr, on 03/15/2008, -0/+13I am very surprised so many people are siding with the bailiff... It doesn't matter that she was an illegal alien, the fact of the matter is that he was negligent in his job and it resulted in someone being locked up in a cell for four days without food, water, or a toilet. If I was to forget something that important I would be fired, so I don't see any reason he shouldn't be.
    If that was you in the cell, you'd want him to be fired, not only that but charged criminally as well
  • minmi, on 03/15/2008, -1/+3There should be checks and balances so that the accident like this will not happen.
  • blacktriangle, on 03/15/2008, -1/+10Just another chance to use ratemycop.com
  • elephantstomp, on 03/15/2008, -0/+4It was horrible for that to happen to this woman and it would also be equally as bad if it were to happen to any of you. The guard was in the wrong, though there has been no information provided to suggest his actions were deliberate or had malicious intent. This does not relieve him of failing in his basic responsibility of protecting those in his charge and consequently doing no harm unto another.

    From what I have seen of this story, he was under qualified to have his position, lacking adequate training and the failure of his responsibility to being adequately trained. Therefore, this issue equally speaks about his supervision. What are the fail-safe procedures regarding prisoner transfer? Do you think it was a systemic breakdown?

    Most of the outrage that I witness in this forum is also under qualified to formulate a properly and valid assessment of this situation and much less qualified to opine upon this as such, due mainly from the insufficiency of the information provided by the media. This story is also in its infancy, the incompleteness as news story is gravely lacking, the report will most likely be limited to only the information which has made so many you exasperated.

    Furthermore, who among you will do a follow-up to this story? Who among you will wait until all factual information has been publicly disseminated? Dare I ask of you righteousness and civility?
  • dsyoungblood, on 03/15/2008, -0/+1Considering that recently a cop in northwest Arkansas killed a retard and was rewarded by getting to retire early, I'm surprised the bailiff got any punishment. Note people start dying of dehydration at around 3 days, this situation was very serious - not that you'd notice it from any of the local coverage. If it were a department store that 'forgot' someone they had detained for shoplifting, you can guarantee that a prosecutor would be gearing up for trial.
    • PHiZ187, on 03/15/2008, -0/+1Link?
    • lingum, on 03/16/2008, -0/+0He did that retard and his parents a favor. No more ruined family photos now.
  • Cyberdactyl, on 03/15/2008, -0/+9Sounds like the women has a civil case to me. If nothing else, pure mental anguish. After 3 days, I'd figure no one was ever coming back.

    Remember The STAND?
  • asherchang, on 03/15/2008, -0/+2http://digg.com/odd_stuff/Illegal_alien_forgotten_ ...
    was submitted four days ago... I wonder if Savingthecity's choice to highlight the woman's alleged illegal immigrant status is what kept his submission from getting popular while this one did. I know that it offended me when I stumbled upon it.. Anyways, I'm not gonna yell "dupe!" at Makimaki, because Digg's duplicate checker was unable to find Savingthecity's submission when I entered Makimaki's headline and description.
  • auntazalea, on 03/15/2008, -0/+4I think what frightens me more then this article is the number of hate comments dehumanizing her. I think there is a lack of empathy that goes down that slippery slope to pure hatred.
    Man, if that had been me, I would have been afraid I was going to die and my children (she has 3) wouldn't know where I was. I am curious if this "accident" happens often at that jail, frightening thought.
    No food or water for 4 days.It is not easy to live without water up to 4 days. If you were diabetic, had a heart condition, needed blood pressure medicine, cancer medicine, etc. etc. This accident could have killed her.
    That bailiff should be fired, he was at the very least incompetent- He didn't even get her transferred to county promptly. So much for securing the borders.
  • cjrando, on 03/15/2008, -0/+1The bailiff position must be a union job if the person was able to keep it after that.
  • harmonik, on 03/15/2008, -0/+1being from arkansas, I saw this story on my local news a couple days ago. they held an interview with the woman (translator, of course) and she said she had to drink her own urine. mmm, nothing like waking up in the morning to a fresh cup of piss.

    i really don't think he intended on leaving her, but he should still be held accountable for his actions.
  • Mrdudeperson, on 03/15/2008, -1/+1 I think we might have a law suite on our hands.
  • and303, on 03/15/2008, -0/+1Absolutely horrible.
    But it is ironic that a similar thing often happens to American citizens when they get arrested in Mexico and don't have cash on them.
    Not that it justifies anything. That bailiff should be fired and the woman should be compensated.
  • consoneo, on 03/15/2008, -1/+1If you're not a citizen, and are here without permission, do you still have the same rights? I'd have her deported instead of held. Just me though.
    • popfrogs, on 03/15/2008, -0/+2According to the rulings made per the 14th amendment of the constitution, yes. Even criminals get full rights by the way it has been interpreted by our courts.
  • CaviMike, on 03/15/2008, -3/+2As wrong as that is, she shouldn't have been in the country in the first place.
    • bigern75, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1We HAVE a huge latino population here in AR
      She's just 1 of MANY illegals aliens in AR!
    • sigg14, on 03/16/2008, -0/+1I agree she should not have been here but she is still a human, this incompetence by a government employee is despicable. throw her over the fence yes, but lock her up for days without food or water no
  • powerfullogic, on 03/15/2008, -2/+3That'll teach her.
  • Hypomanic, on 03/16/2008, -0/+4Was anyone else horrified by most of the soulless comments left on that story?
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