The city of Kent, Washington, is facing a federal civil lawsuit following the death of a 45-year-old inmate at the city jail in April 2025. The lawsuit alleges jail officials and a contracted medical provider failed to respond appropriately to the woman’s worsening medical condition during opioid withdrawal.
The case was filed May 8 in U.S. District Court on behalf of the estate of Rena Flaherty through her mother, Teresa Flaherty. The family is represented by Connelly Law Offices of Tacoma.
According to the complaint, Flaherty died after allegedly not receiving timely medical care while in custody at the Kent Corrections Facility.
Death
Rena Flaherty died on April 22, 2025, while being held at the Kent city jail located at 1230 Central Ave. S.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office later determined the cause of death was “dehydration and ketoacidosis, opiate withdrawal.” The manner of death was ruled natural in a report issued May 14.
Kent Police said a corrections officer discovered Flaherty unresponsive in a holding cell. She had been in custody since April 19 on misdemeanor warrants.
The lawsuit claims her death was preventable and resulted from failures in both medical treatment and jail supervision.
Allegations
The complaint accuses the city of Kent, Healthcare Delivery Inc., and the company’s president and CEO Shannon Slack of negligence and “deliberate indifference to medical needs.”
Healthcare Delivery Inc. contracts with the city to provide medical services inside the jail.
According to the lawsuit, Flaherty informed jail staff during booking that she was experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms and requested medical care.
“Ms. Flaherty waited 18 hours before HDS evaluated her,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit further alleges that after she was assessed, her withdrawal symptoms scored high enough under federal treatment guidelines to require immediate medication assistance, including buprenorphine, a medication commonly used to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms.
The complaint claims the medication was never provided.
Claims
Attorneys for the family argue that multiple failures contributed to Flaherty’s death.
According to the lawsuit, jail medical staff did not consistently reassess her condition and left overnight monitoring responsibilities to corrections officers who allegedly lacked sufficient training to recognize severe withdrawal symptoms.
The complaint also alleges that staff ignored visible signs of medical distress.
“Had corrections officers been properly trained to recognize withdrawal emergencies, they would have called 911 when they observed her deteriorating condition,” the lawsuit states.
The filing further alleges Flaherty became increasingly weak, vomited repeatedly, and struggled to care for herself while in custody.
The lawsuit describes jail staff observing her worsening condition but failing to seek emergency medical assistance.
Timeline
The complaint outlines the following sequence of events:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 19, 2025 | Flaherty booked into Kent jail |
| April 20, 2025 | Medical evaluation reportedly conducted |
| April 21, 2025 | Alleged overnight deterioration |
| April 22, 2025 | Flaherty found dead in holding cell |
| May 8, 2025 | Federal lawsuit filed |
| May 14, 2025 | Medical examiner releases findings |
The lawsuit claims jail staff repeatedly walked past Flaherty’s cell without intervening even after she was visibly unwell.
By the following morning, according to the complaint, she was found lying face down on the floor of her cell.
Response
The city of Kent declined to comment directly on the allegations because of the pending litigation.
In a statement sent to the Kent Reporter on May 19, city officials expressed condolences to the family.
“The death of a loved one is tragic,” the city said. “The city recognizes how painful and difficult this must be for Ms. Flaherty’s family, and the city extends its sincere condolences.”
The city added that it could not discuss details surrounding the case while legal proceedings remain active.
Healthcare Delivery Inc. has not publicly responded to the allegations outlined in the lawsuit.
Legal
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages along with attorneys’ fees and other relief determined by the court.
The lawsuit argues that unconstitutional policies, inadequate training, and failures in inmate medical care directly contributed to Flaherty’s suffering and death.
“As a direct and proximate result of the Kent jail’s unconstitutional policies, customs, practices, and failures to train, Ms. Flaherty suffered severe physical pain, suffering and death,” the complaint states.
The family has requested a jury trial.
Context
The case comes amid broader national scrutiny over medical treatment and withdrawal management in local jails and detention facilities.
Medical experts and correctional health organizations have increasingly emphasized the importance of timely treatment for opioid withdrawal, warning that untreated symptoms can lead to serious medical complications.
Federal courts have also seen a growing number of lawsuits involving allegations of inadequate medical care in correctional settings, particularly in cases involving substance withdrawal and mental health crises.
The Kent lawsuit is expected to focus heavily on jail procedures, overnight monitoring practices, staff training, and compliance with accepted medical standards for withdrawal treatment.
FAQs
Who was Rena Flaherty?
She was a 45-year-old inmate at Kent jail.
What caused Flaherty’s death?
The medical examiner cited opiate withdrawal complications.
Who is named in the lawsuit?
The city of Kent and Healthcare Delivery Inc.
What does the lawsuit allege?
It alleges neglect and inadequate medical care.
What are the plaintiffs seeking?
They are seeking damages and a jury trial.
