Hesperia man dies while in San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department custody
A Hesperia man arrested on suspicion of vandalism early this month during what a family member described as a "mental health crisis" has died while in San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department custody.
Eduardo Lopez, 23, died about 3 a.m. Thursday at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, according to sheriff's officials.
He was arrested on suspicion of vandalism and resisting police on April 1 in the 15700 block of Cactus Street, according to sheriff's officials and county booking records. He was taken to the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga for pre-trial housing.
"On April 15, 2024, Lopez was observed harming himself in his cell at (West Valley Detention Center)," the sheriff's department said in a written statement. "Lopez was evaluated by medical staff and relocated to a safety cell. Lopez was monitored frequently in the safety cell by deputies and medical staff."
He was found unconscious in the cell the following day, sheriff's officials said. Sheriff's personnel administered first aid until paramedics transported him to the hospital for further treatment.
"Lopez’s health continued to decline," law enforcement officials stated.
He died at the hospital on April 25, according to the statement.
An investigation into the death is being conducted by the Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division.
An official cause of death will be determined through an autopsy by Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner investigators.
Unanswered questions
Cousin Ashley Lopez said her family has many concerns and unanswered questions about what happened to Eduardo.
"We suspect (he) was brutally assaulted in West Valley Detention Center," she said in a statement accompanying a GoFundMe.com campaign established to aid the family.
On the day of his arrest, "He was experiencing an acute schizophrenic episode that led to his caregivers — parents — call(ing) 911 for assistance," according to the cousin. "He was placed in a jail, West Valley Detention center, instead of a mental health hospital even after the mother had informed the officer that they were calling to request mental health assistance for him."
Eduardo's parents were told that he refused visitors while in custody, which they found strange, Ashley said. "It’s not very like him, he loves his parents very much, as he’s lived with them all his life."
Family members also found it strange that they were told he had refused to make his scheduled court appearance, "which again was very odd and unlikely of him," his cousin said.
Several days later, the family was told that Eduardo had suffered two heart attacks and was in a coma, she said.
"We feel something isn’t right... The jail has been refusing to give us details and answers on the incident that lead Eduardo into a coma," Ashley stated. "We want to know what caused the two heart attacks, we want to know why he has bruises all over his body, we want to know why it appears that he has a broken leg, and why there’s blood inside his eyes... We want to know why he didn’t receive the proper care during his mental crisis."
Anyone with information was urged to contact Detective Travis Kleveno of the Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to We-Tip at (800) 782-7463.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Hesperia man dies in San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept. custody
