Family of son who died in Kalamazoo County Jail files lawsuit, seeks $150,000
A family whose son died in Kalamazoo County Jail is filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the jail.
Chase Lovell, 29, died by suicide in Kalamazoo County Jail. His death was preventable, according to his family.
The Kalamazoo County Jail ignored Lovell's "obvious and known mental health needs," the lawsuit claimed.
Lovell was supposed to be constantly monitored with a camera and visited in person every 30 minutes, in accordance with jail policy, the lawsuit also claimed.
Lovell was left alone for an hour-and-a-half before being found unresponsive, according to Lovell's attorneys.
His family is seeking at least $150,000 in damages for violations of his constitutional rights and rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Lovell was admitted to Ascension Borgess Hospital in December 2020. He was hearing voices, according to his mother.
He spent four days there before being accused of starting a fire.
- Chase Lovell death: Man charged with hospital arson heard voices before committing suicide in Kalamazoo jail
Lovell was charged with first-degree arson on Dec. 16, 2020, by the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office.
He was taken to jail where he was held on a $100,000 bond.
His mother was informed of his death by a Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office deputy the evening he died on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020.
