Legal Action Taken Over Inmate Deaths at Detention Center

Myrtle Beach, December 31, 2025

Families have filed lawsuits against the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County, alleging negligent medical care contributed to inmate deaths. Recent actions highlight systemic failures in the provision of adequate medical attention during critical periods, including detoxification. This renewed focus seeks accountability from the Horry County Sheriff’s Office and associated medical service providers, raising concerns about inmate welfare and oversight in detention facilities.

MYRTLE BEACH

Families have recently pursued legal action against entities associated with the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County, South Carolina, alleging that negligent medical care contributed to the deaths of inmates. These filings, some made in recent days and others seeing updated attention, underscore a profound concern for the welfare of those entrusted to the facility’s care, drawing a quiet spotlight on the solemn responsibilities inherent in such institutions.

Allegations of Negligent Care Precede Inmate Deaths

One such legal filing concerns the death of an inmate in March 2025 at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, with a lawsuit claiming medical providers failed to intervene properly after the individual exhibited symptoms. Information regarding this particular case has been updated within the last day, bringing renewed focus to the circumstances of the inmate’s passing. It is alleged the inmate was undergoing detoxification and was not adequately monitored or cared for, a lack of attention that tragically preceded their death. This event, unfolding in the quiet confines of a detention center, evokes a somber reflection on the precise moments when vigilance could have altered fate.

Another significant development emerged on September 10, 2025, when the family of Leonora Russo filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Horry County Sheriff’s Office and the jail. Ms. Russo also died at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. These legal proceedings, though distinct, collectively speak to a recurring pattern of grievance concerning the medical oversight within the facility.

Recent Lawsuits Highlight Ongoing Concerns

The constellation of these legal challenges broadened further in December. On December 18, 2025, a widow initiated legal action against the jail’s medical services provider, asserting that negligence led to the death of her father, Whitley, who passed away on November 25, 2022. While the death itself occurred some time ago, the recent filing brings its sorrowful details into contemporary focus, demonstrating the lasting pain and enduring quest for accountability felt by those left behind.

Just two days prior, on December 16, 2025, the wife of another inmate filed an intent to sue the medical service provider at J. Reuben Long Detention Center. Her husband died in 2024 at Conway Medical Center (CMC) after reportedly being left vomiting until unconscious in his jail cell. Such accounts call for a quiet contemplation of the vulnerabilities of individuals within carceral settings and the profound human cost when care is perceived to be absent or insufficient.

A Call for Diligence in Care

These collective legal actions present a grave picture of alleged systemic failures in providing adequate medical attention to inmates. Each lawsuit, while focusing on an individual tragedy, collectively raises questions about the protocols and practices in place for those experiencing medical distress, particularly during vulnerable periods such as detoxification. The precise language of legal documents now chronicles the harrowing experiences, seeking not just redress, but perhaps, in their quiet insistence, a renewed commitment to the compassionate and diligent care owed to every human life, regardless of circumstance.

The lawsuits seek to hold various entities accountable, including the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, the jail itself, and its medical services providers. As these legal processes unfold, they will undoubtedly illuminate the intricacies of medical care provision within detention facilities, fostering a sober reflection on the standards of responsibility borne by those charged with safeguarding human lives in custody.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the primary allegations in the recent lawsuits concerning J. Reuben Long Detention Center?

The primary allegations in the recent lawsuits concern negligent medical care contributing to the deaths of inmates at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County, South Carolina.

When did an inmate die in March 2025 at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, and what are the details?

An inmate died in March 2025 at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center after medical providers allegedly failed to intervene properly after the individual exhibited symptoms. It is alleged the inmate was undergoing detoxification and was not adequately monitored or cared for.

When was the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Leonora Russo?

The family of Leonora Russo filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Horry County Sheriff’s Office and the jail on September 10, 2025, after Ms. Russo died at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

When did a widow file a lawsuit regarding the death of Whitley?

On December 18, 2025, a widow initiated legal action against the jail’s medical services provider, asserting that negligence led to the death of her father, Whitley, who passed away on November 25, 2022.

What happened with the inmate who died in 2024 at Conway Medical Center (CMC)?

On December 16, 2025, the wife of an inmate who died in 2024 at Conway Medical Center (CMC) filed an intent to sue the medical service provider at J. Reuben Long Detention Center. Her husband reportedly had been left vomiting until unconscious in his jail cell.

Key Features of Recent Lawsuits

The recent legal actions against the J. Reuben Long Detention Center and its medical providers highlight several key aspects of concern:

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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH

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