Former detention deputy facing potential life sentence for disregarding detainee's medical needs

A former Oklahoma detention deputy is facing a potential life sentence and $250,000 fine for disregarding a pretrial detainee's medical needs, resulting in her ultimate death.

According to a Justice Department press release Monday, a federal jury convicted Paula Kelley on June 12 of violating Title 18, Section 242, which criminalizes anyone acting under color of law who willfully deprives someone of a right protected by the Constitution or U.S. laws. Kelley worked as a detention deputy at Garvin County Jail in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.

Kelley's deliberate indifference to pretrial detainee Kayla Turley's serious medical needs resulted in Turley's ultimate death.

“By ignoring the victim’s serious medical needs, the defendant betrayed the most basic duties of her position and violated the victim’s civil rights,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division said in the report.

Kelley was on duty when she learned of Turley’s medical condition, but didn’t “take any reasonable steps” to provide aid.

Four other former detention deputies at the jail — Jennifer Baxter, Vincent Matthews, Alesha Ingram and Melissa Melton — and nurse Lynsee Noel previously pleaded guilty to Title 18, Section 242 for failing to help Turley get medical care. Baxter, Noel, Matthews and Ingram also admitted to failing to intervene when other inmates assaulted Turley out of frustration with her cries for help.

The five face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, according to their plea agreements. 

“Correctional officers have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that individuals in their custody receive necessary medical care,” Robert Troester, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, said.

The FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by attorneys from Oklahoma’s Western District and the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.

Katherine Pugh is a reporter for Just the News. Follow her on X for more coverage.