new york — New York City will pay more than $28 million in settlement Civil rights lawsuit brought by woman whose grandson was hospitalized after attempting suicide while in custody at Rikers Island.
Madeline Feliciano argues that Three Rikers Island correctional officers and a captain waited nearly eight minutes before rescuing the grandson.Nicholas Feliciano attempted suicide in his prison cell in November 2019. A Department of Corrections Oversight Board report found that he was left hanging by his neck for 7 minutes and 51 seconds.
His grandmother said Nicholas suffered brain damage as a result. He was 18 years old at the time arrested after a fight.
The incident was captured on surveillance video. According to a Department of Corrections Oversight Committee report, Nicholas was in the presence of correctional officers at the time.
3 prison officers and 1 captain He was charged in 2022 with reckless endangerment and official misconduct.. Two of the guards pleaded guilty to official misconduct. Other cases are pending.
The city will pay Madeline Feliciano $28.75 million, according to a proposed settlement filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
Madeline Feliciano said in a statement: “While this settlement will only help Nicholas with his medical condition and treatment for the rest of his life, the damage has already been done. Nicholas will never be the same. His future has been taken away from him.” Stated.
CBS News New York has reached out to the Department of Corrections for comment on the settlement.
Lawyers representing Madeline Feliciano and her family are also calling for Rikers Island to be shut down.
In 2019, the New York City Council Passed a plan to close troubled prison facilities by 2026 He built four small prisons in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx. Mayor Eric Adams postponed the plan.citing security concerns and questioning whether the district's jail can accommodate jail residents from Rikers.
