Kansas Sheriff Gets Wrongful Death Claim

Relatives of a Kansas man who committed suicide at the Sedgwick County Jail have filed a wrongful death claim against Sheriff Robert Hinshaw.

The family of Jonathan Haehn is seeking $250,000 in damages in the wrongful death claim, which is the first step toward filing a lawsuit. Haehn hanged himself with a bedsheet on May 24.

The family claims they warned jail staff that Haehn was bipolar and an alcoholic and was a risk for suicide.

Hinshaw told The Wichita Eagle that the county has denied the claim because a screening on Haehn didn’t show him being at risk of suicide. The sheriff also says Haehn claimed he was not feeling suicidal.

Haehn was jailed on a warrant alleging he violated his probation for a DUI conviction.