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Linda Praylow, 49, was discovered unresponsive in her holding cell at the Hartford Police Department early in the morning of April 5, 2024. She had no pulse and was later pronounced dead at Saint Francis Hospital, according to the Office of Inspector General Report.
An investigation by the Office of the Inspector General concluded that Praylow died from acute fentanyl intoxication, made worse by underlying cardiovascular disease. The report noted that while detention officers should have been more attentive, no criminal action or physical force contributed to her death.
Praylow had been in custody for two days after being arrested on outstanding warrants for larceny and failure to appear. She told officers during booking that she had recently used fentanyl. As she remained in custody, she exhibited symptoms of withdrawal, including vomiting, diarrhea, and restlessness.
Surveillance footage showed Praylow moving from her mattress to the toilet before collapsing. Minutes later, officers found her unresponsive.
Authorities believe she likely ingested fentanyl while in custody, though how she obtained the drug remains unclear. The report did not indicate whether officers searched her for narcotics at the time of her arrest.
The investigation cleared Hartford police of wrongdoing but raised concerns about the level of care provided to detainees suffering from substance withdrawal.
Given the fact that she had been sick earlier and reported using drugs just before herarrest, the detention staff should have done more to address her needs. She should have been taken to the hospital on Saturday evening when Detention staff had to clean her cell,notwithstanding her statement that she did not want to go. Detention staff should have been more attentive. At a minimum, they should have monitored more carefully the cell block camera for cell #67. Had they done that, they would have detected her lying on her back motionless for fifteen minutes before any officer entered her cell.
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