Publication: Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter Published: 12/4/1998
CIVIL RIGHTS--JAIL SUICIDE--JURY FINDS OFFICER DELIBERATELY INDIFFERENT
(QQ 9/1) Estate of Natiera Cunningham, deceased, Peggy Cunningham v Mark Tkadletz, Erica Sandahl, Correctional Medical Services of Illinois Inc., Laarni Dazal 97C-1109 Tried: Oct. 20-23, 1998 (14)
Verdict: $1,350,000: $100,000 to Natiera v Tkadletz (for loss of life under Section 1983); $500,000 comp., $750,000 punitive to Peggy v Tkadletz (the jury found, in answer to a special interrogatory, that Tkadletz knew of and disregarded the risk that Natiera would commit suicide); Directed Not Guilty to Peggy v Sandahl at the close of pltf’s case. CMS and Dazal settled out pretrial for an undisclosed sum. An appeal is pending.
Judge: David H. Coar (USDC IL NE)
Pltf Atty: Michael D. Robbins and Gregory J. Schlesinger of Schlesinger & Robbins for both pltfs
Deft Atty: Ronald L. Lapinski and Michele S. Suggs of Seyfarth, Shaw for Tkadletz Offer: MT $30,000; Daniel P. Field (Waukegan) for Sandahl; Robert P. Vogt of Weldon-Linne & Vogt for Correctional Medical Services of Illinois Inc., Dazal;
June 3, 1996 Natiera Cunningham, age 18, was arrested for shoplifting and held by Gurnee IL Police due to an
outstanding warrant for aggravated battery issued by Waukegan Police. That night, Natiera tried to commit
suicide by hanging herself with her shirt. Although the teen was stopped and placed on a suicide watch, she
threatened to attempt suicide again if she was sent to the Lake County Jail. The next morning, Detective Mark
Tkadletz arrived to take Natiera to Waukegan. According to Natiera’s Estate, the Gurnee Police Commander
briefed Tkadletz on the suicide attempt and told Tkadletz that Natiera said she would try again. However, after
questioning Natiera, Tkadletz delivered her to the custody of the Lake County Sheriff without informing anyone
of her suicide attempt or the threats made 9 hours earlier. While at the Lake County Jail, Natiera scored an ‘‘8’’ on
a psychological suicide screening test administered by Correctional Medical Services employee Laarni Dazal,
which normally brings a psychological referral. However, Dazal was unaware of Natiera’s prior suicide attempt
and did not believe that the prisoner’s score was legitimate. Natiera became increasingly depressed and agitated
when her mother, Peggy, could not raise the necessary $3000 cash bond, and was placed on 24-hour lockdown by
Jail employee Erica Sandahl because she was disruptive. It was during Sandahl’s watch on June 6, 1996 that
Natiera hanged herself. However, Sandahl was directed out at the close of pltf’s case, with the Court finding that
she did not have notice that Natiera had a serious medical condition. Correctional Medical Services and Dazal
settled out. Tkadletz insisted that although he was told of the June 3 attempt, he understood that Natiera was
treated and released by St. Therese Hospital, and was not a continuing suicide risk. Asserted that he was not
indifferent and contested proximate cause.
(c) Law Bulletin Publishing Company 2005 16-NOV-2005 16:20 Page 1
