Ralkina Jones, 37

Cleveland Heights, Ohio
July 26, 2015

Agencies: Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's office | Cleveland Heights Police Department Ohio | Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction ODRC

Cause of death: Medical Neglect


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Overview

The body of 37-year-old Ralkina Jones was recovered Sunday, July 26, 2015 at the Cleveland Heights city jail. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office reported that they responded to the jail over the weekend. Cleveland Heights police released video of the arrest on August 3, 2015.

On Wednesday, August 12, 2015, authorities released Jones' prisoner medication log as well as the main jail log — and officials admit that she may have been improperly medicated: Jones' prisoner log indicates that she was given medications twice over the course of about 24 hours, while the jail log indicates that drugs were dispensed three times.

Police released 30 minutes of video of Jones during her time in custody. The video shows Jones discussing various medical issues and medications with officers.

Cleveland Heights officials initially refused to explain gaps in new Ralkina Jones jail cell video, including the missing last six hours before she was found unresponsive. On October 8, 2015, officlals explained in a press release that two technical reports revealed that the cameras missed small movements and had insufficient memory. According to the release, the cameras were active at all times but only recorded to the DVR when motion was detected.

Legal Action

Northeast Ohio Media Group reports that city officials on Tuesday, August 25, 2015, said Cleveland Heights Police Chief Jeffrey Robertson had asked the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to investigate the death of Ralkina Jones.

In a report of the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner released Friday, November 13, 2015, Ralkina Jones died accidentally of sudden cardiac arrest in association with postural tachycardia syndrome and obesity with amphetamine therapy.

On July 13, 2016, the Jones family filed a wrongful death lawsuit, claiming Jones' civil rights were violated.

In January 2018, it was reported that the city of Cleveland Heights had settled a wrongful-death lawsuit with the family of Jones, though details of the settlement had not been made public. In February, the city announced that it had settled the case with an agreement to pay the family $200,000.

Community and Family Efforts

#SayHerName

Ralkina Jones' family is asking for answers about her death, saying she was “perfectly fine” when they visited her at the jail the day before.

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