CHICAGO (AP) — A man who was trapped in a room at a Chicago jail for about 30 hours has filed a lawsuit, citing his anguish at being locked up.
Farad Polk says he was visiting his son at Cook County Jail on July 5 when a propped-open door of an unused visiting room slammed shut, trapping him without food, water or bedding.
The 51-year-old Polk said Monday he realized something was wrong when his son was not brought to him. He wasn’t freed until two days later, after he activated a fire sprinkler that summoned firefighters.
The lawsuit claims jail officials carelessly and negligently instructed Polk, resulting in him entering a room under renovation.
Attorney Cannon Lambert said it’s unbelievable “the county consciously disregarded his safety.”
Jail officials have apologized to Polk.
