DA finds no negligence in 23-year-old's death at Johnston jail

Johnston County District Attorney Susan Doyle has found that jailers did nothing wrong in the case of a 23-year-old man who died in custody there.

Cruz, who had a history of kidney disease, died six days after he was booked in the Johnston County jail on a variety of charges.

His family claimed that Cruz died from medical negligence because never received treatment for his disease.

Jail leaders told WRAL Investigates and the district attorney that they tried to get Cruz medical care at the Johnston Dialysis Center, but the center refused to treat him. According to Doyle's report, the center said Cruz had only completed one of 53 previous appointments and routinely used drugs while in the facility's lobby. The day after the dialysis center told jailers Cruz wasn't welcome, he died.

Jail staff said Cruz was under suicide watch then special watch because of his health problems and they were looking for a new dialysis center when he died.

The medical examiner ruled Cruz died from a cardiovascular disease and determined he died from natural causes.

Doyle said no criminal charges will be filed against jail staff.