Family files lawsuit after woman dies in jail from fentanyl overdose, alleging staff negligence and attempted concealment

COLUMBUS, Ohio — On March 17, 2023, Patty Wolf says she got a knock on the door no parent expects.

On the other end were deputies telling her that her daughter, 33-year-old Gierra Perdue, had died.

“She was a loving person. Everybody got along with her. She’d do anything for anybody,” she said.

Two year later, Wolf tells 10TV she’s not only left with her grief but also unanswered questions.

“‘It’s an accidental death’ is what I got. So, I mean, you know, there’s a lot of questions I have,” she said.

According to her autopsy, Gierra died of an “accidental fentanyl overdose” while inside of the Franklin County Corrections Center II on Jackson Pike.

Her family doesn’t know how she got those drugs.

But here’s what an attorney for the family, Kimberly Burroughs, says they do know:

A separate company, contracted with the jail, employed medical staff. They were supposed to monitor her and provide a detox treatment while she was there. However, they neglected their duties, and there’s no valid explanation for it, she expressed.

The family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Armor Health of Ohio LLC, the company hired to care for inmates in Franklin County.

The lawsuit alleges that some medical staff said they’d checked on Gierra 42 times. But the lawsuit claims they only checked on her three times.

“On top of that, these employees actually shredded initially falsified documents and then created new falsified documents,” said Burroughs.

10 Investigates called and emailed Armor Health of Ohio LLC and the attorney representing them. Their attorney declined to comment on the case.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is not being sued in connection to this death. They also declined to comment on the matter.

In April, two leaders with FCSO told us they’re working to prevent overdoses.

Chief Deputy Rick Minerd mentioned, “I can’t fathom the emotions she must have gone through, but I want to reassure you that the jail staff are putting in their utmost effort.”

This week, 10 Investigates asked Gov. Mike DeWine what he’s doing to support that mission.

 “Keeping drugs out of jails and prisons is an ongoing battle and we’re looking for ways that we can be of help to the local sheriff,” he said.

But it’s an answer that’s of little comfort to Patty as she waits for a decision from the court.

“I want justice. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else,” she said.

Court records show that Armor Health of Ohio LLC asked for an extension to respond to the lawsuit.

That extension runs out on Friday.