Everson woman sues over son's jail death

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  An Everson woman has filed a federal lawsuit against Whatcom County“An Everson woman is suing Whatcom County in federal court alleging jail staff was improperly trained in suicide prevention at the time her son died while in custody three years ago.”
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  An Everson woman has filed a federal lawsuit against former Sheriff Bill Elfo“Elaine Barness filed the wrongful death and negligence lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at the end of August.”
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  An Everson woman has filed a federal lawsuit against former corrections chief deputy Wendy Jones“Elaine Barness filed the wrongful death and negligence lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at the end of August. Not only is she suing former Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo and former corrections chief deputy Wendy Jones, she is also suing Compass Health, which provided third-party care for inmates in the jail at the time, for negligence.”
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  An Everson woman has filed a federal lawsuit against Compass Health“Elaine Barness filed the wrongful death and negligence lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at the end of August. Not only is she suing former Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo and former corrections chief deputy Wendy Jones, she is also suing Compass Health, which provided third-party care for inmates in the jail at the time, for negligence.”
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  The lawsuit is about the death of her son Robert Barness“Elaine Barness filed the wrongful death and negligence lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at the end of August. Not only is she suing former Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo and former corrections chief deputy Wendy Jones, she is also suing Compass Health, which provided third-party care for inmates in the jail at the time, for negligence. Barness alleges her son Robert, 36, who had diagnoses of autism, Tourette’s syndrome and schizophrenia, was in the middle of a mental health crisis on June 24, 2023, when he assaulted a family friend, according to the lawsuit. From the time of his incarceration to when he died on Sept. 19, Robert Barness’ mental health declined and the jail did not have the adequate capacity for sufficient medical screening, according to the lawsuit.”
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  Robert Barness was incarcerated in the county jail in 2023“From the time of his incarceration to when he died on Sept. 19, Robert Barness’ mental health declined and the jail did not have the adequate capacity for sufficient medical screening, according to the lawsuit.”
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  Robert Barness was 36 years old“Elaine Barness filed the wrongful death and negligence lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at the end of August. Not only is she suing former Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo and former corrections chief deputy Wendy Jones, she is also suing Compass Health, which provided third-party care for inmates in the jail at the time, for negligence. Barness alleges her son Robert, 36, who had diagnoses of autism, Tourette’s syndrome and schizophrenia, was in the middle of a mental health crisis on June 24, 2023, when he assaulted a family friend, according to the lawsuit.”
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  Robert Barness had autism“Robert Barness, 36, who had diagnoses of autism, Tourette’s syndrome and schizophrenia, was in the middle of a mental health crisis on June 24, 2023, when he assaulted a family friend, according to the lawsuit.”
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  Robert Barness had Tourette's syndrome“Robert, 36, who had diagnoses of autism, Tourette’s syndrome and schizophrenia, was in the middle of a mental health crisis on June 24, 2023, when he assaulted a family friend, according to the lawsuit.”
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  Robert Barness had schizophreniaNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Robert Barness was in a mental health crisis when he was incarcerated“Robert Barness, 36, who had diagnoses of autism, Tourette’s syndrome and schizophrenia, was in the middle of a mental health crisis on June 24, 2023, when he assaulted a family friend, according to the lawsuit.”
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  Robert Barness was incarcerated on June 24, 2023“From the time of his incarceration to when he died on Sept. 19, Robert Barness’ mental health declined and the jail did not have the adequate capacity for sufficient medical screening, according to the lawsuit. He was briefly housed on a floor with more staff to monitor his actions, but then he was moved because there was “no ongoing mental health reason.” Robert Barness also complained ”
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  Robert Barness assaulted a family friend“Robert Barness, 36, who had diagnoses of autism, Tourette’s syndrome and schizophrenia, was in the middle of a mental health crisis on June 24, 2023, when he assaulted a family friend, according to the lawsuit.”
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  Robert Barness' mental health declined while in custody“From the time of his incarceration to when he died on Sept. 19, Robert Barness’ mental health declined and the jail did not have the adequate capacity for sufficient medical screening, according to the lawsuit.”
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  Jail staff failed to provide adequate medical screeningNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Robert Barness' son was moved from a monitored floor despite ongoing mental health concernsNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Robert Barness died on September 19, 2023“He was briefly housed on a floor with more staff to monitor his actions, but then he was moved because there was “no ongoing mental health reason.” Robert Barness also complained ”
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  The lawsuit was filed in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Washington“Elaine Barness filed the wrongful death and negligence lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at the end of August.”
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  The lawsuit was filed on August 31, 2026No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Compass Health provided third-party care for inmates at the time“she is also suing Compass Health, which provided third-party care for inmates in the jail at the time, for negligence.”
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  The lawsuit names Compass Health for negligence“Not only is she suing former Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo and former corrections chief deputy Wendy Jones, she is also suing Compass Health, which provided third-party care for inmates in the jail at the time, for negligence.”