Very sad news and also an indication of what is happening in indigenous communities around the US as we speak. Let’s hope US Federal authorities start being far more proactive and especially so when it comes to non violent offenders and those in custody for drug related charges that don’t include viloent acts towards others.
The Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C.: On Friday, March 20, 2020, inmate Andrea Circle Bear was transported by the United States Marshal Service from Winner City Jail, Winner, South Dakota to FMC Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas. Per the Bureau’s current COVID-19 procedures, Ms. Circle Bear was immediately placed on quarantine status at FMC Carswell.
On Saturday, March 28, 2020, Ms. Circle Bear was evaluated by FMC Carswell Health Services staff and transported to the local hospital due to potential concerns regarding her pregnancy. After evaluation by the local hospital staff, Ms. Circle Bear was discharged the same day and transported back to FMC Carswell.
On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, Ms. Circle Bear was seen by FMC Carswell Health Services staff for a fever, dry cough, and other symptoms, and was transported to the local hospital for further treatment, evaluation, and placed on a ventilator. On Wednesday, April 1, 2020, Ms. Circle Bear’s baby was born by cesarean section. On Saturday, April 4, 2020, Ms. Circle Bear was confirmed positive for COVID-19.
On Tuesday, April 28, 2020, Ms. Circle Bear, who had a pre-existing medical condition which the CDC lists as risk factor for developing more severe COVID-19 disease, was pronounced dead by hospital staff. Ms. Circle Bear was a 30 year-old female who was sentenced in the District of South Dakota to a 26-month sentence for Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises. She had been in custody at FMC Carswell since March 20, 2020. Federal Medical Center Carswell is an administrative facility that currently houses 1625 female offenders. T
he Bureau of Prisons will continue to provide daily updates and information on actions related to COVID-19 at www.bop.gov/coronavirus/index.jsp Additional information about the Bureau of Prisons can be found at www.bop.gov.
https://www.bop.gov/resources/news/pdfs/20200428_press_release_crw.pdf
Read media report
https://time.com/5829082/female-inmate-covid-19-birth-ventilator/
