Two sheriff’s from northeastern South Dakota are among several individuals who are facing a federal civil lawsuit involving a woman who died three years ago from a drug overdose while she was being held in the Brown County Jail in Aberdeen.
The woman, 24-year-old Sarah Circle Bear, died in July of 2015 after she was taken into custody by authorities in Roberts County on drug charges. Circle Bear was found unresponsive in her cell at the Brown County Jail and was later pronounced dead at an area hospital from a methamphetamine overdose.
Local investigators say officials at the Brown County Jail acted properly in handling the situation.
However, a lawsuit filed by Aberdeen Attorney Scott Kuck alledges Circle Bear’s civil rights were violated.
Several current or former employees of Brown and Roberts County are facing suit in the case including Brown County Sheriff Mark Milbrandt and Roberts County Sheriff Jay Tasa.
