Selma.-A young Hispanic man with kidney failure died in a North Carolina jail. His family maintains that his death is due to the negligence of the prison authorities.
Eric Cruz, 23, died on January 19, six days after being arrested by Smithfield police on alleged burglary charges.
Cruz was booked into the Johnston County jail where, according to his mother María Cruz, he did not receive the necessary care.
“They took his life,” said the woman in conversation with Qué Pasa. “I warned them that my son needed medical attention because his life depended on it. They called me and told me that he died at 9:45 when witnesses have called me who say that he asked for help at 10:00 at night. Since he entered they did not give him the medicines that I brought him. “
Eric was to undergo dialysis three times a week, a procedure his mother indicates he did not receive in jail. “From the first day he started dialysis, his doctor told him that he had rights if he fell into the hands of ICE or any other authority due to his health. The doctor sent a request to take him to the hospital and they did not respond” .
“From the judge he sentenced my son to death because he put a bond of 125 thousand dollars knowing that he was sick and that we are low-income,” she said indignantly. “The agents beat my son when they arrested him. You can see it in the photos (of the prison record).”
As of yet, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office has not responded to Qué Pasa’s questions about this case.
This is a new tragedy for the Cruz family. In 2019, María’s daughter, Yenni Francisco Cruz was found dead on Capital Boulevard. Despite claims for justice, so far the Raleigh Police Department has not provided him with information about the case. The victim had four small children who were left in the care of Maria.
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Photo of Eric Cruz from Johnston jail showing blows to the face
Need help
This mother needs help to cover her son’s funeral expenses. People who wish to collaborate can do so from the Gofundme page https://www.gofundme.com/f/29fxg1beao?qid=16e482808d8d381ba1fe08d51ecee3aa This will be the only page the family will use.
In addition, those who have helped Maria since the death of her daughter are organizing a food sale for Sunday, January 31.
Those who wish to purchase or donate food for preparation can call Doris Bellos at (919) 857-6538.
María appreciates any kind of collaboration but what she wants most is for justice to be done.
“My son called me and left me a message saying he loved me and to please help him. They killed him and they have to pay,” Maria said.
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