HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A Lawrence County family has filed suit against the Alabama Department of Corrections, alleging that a family member's body was returned to them without its heart. Also named in the suit are various staff members from the facility where he was an inmate, as well as the University of Alabama educational and medical systems.
Audrey South and Audrey Dotson, representing the estate of the late Brandon Clay Dotson, say in their suit that Brandon was found dead at the Ventress Correctional Facility in Clayton on November 16, the same day he was due to be considered for parole.
Their lawsuit alleges that Brandon was in fear over his personal safety and also had "unlimited access to drugs" in the weeks leading up to his death, yet understaffing and "indifferent" officials' conduct led to his eventual death.
They claim that the family spent days trying to get the body released, with no success.
The plaintiffs allege that Brandon's body was improperly stored and severely composed when the body was finally released to the family a week later. The family hired a pathologist to perform an independent autopsy, who then discovered Brandon's heart was missing.
"The Alabama Department of Corrections – or an agent responsible for conducting the autopsy or transporting the body to his family – had, inexplicably and without the required permission from Mr. Dotson’s next of kin, removed and retained Mr. Dotson’s heart," the suit claims.
The civil suit accused the corrections department, officers, and supervisory personnel of "administrative machinery that lead to, resulted in, and caused the death" of Brandon Dotson, as well as "all Defendants for engaging in the illegal, reprehensible, and outrageous conduct of retaining organs and tissues from incarcerated individuals who die in state custody without the consent of their family, next of kin, or representatives."
Court documents show the plaintiffs are seeking restitution for charges including violation of constitutional rights, fraud, negligence, interference with the right of burial or disposition of the deceased, and mishandling of a corpse. They are also seeking the "immediate return of Mr. Dotson's heart" and any other remains that may have been withheld.
FOX54 has reached out to the Attorney General's office for comment regarding the lawsuit.