Original Blog Entry: Handcuffed man left abandoned in courthouse for 18 hours

truesee — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:44:40 GMT

Man Abandoned In Courthouse For 18 Hours

January 6, 2011 7:33 AM

GENEVA, Ill. (WBBM/CBS) An Elgin man abandoned overnight in the Kane County courthouse last month is reportedly considering suing the county.

As WBBM Newsradio 780 s Bernie Tafoya reports, Husan Smith, 32, was supposed to have been taken to the Kane County Jail after his court appearance last month.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780 s Bernie Tafoya Reports.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/01/06/man-abandoned-in-courthouse-for-18-hours/

He was supposed to be spending four nights in jail for testing positive for drugs, in violation of his parole for an earlier drug offense.

But a bailiff put Smith in a nearby conference room, and no one remembered he was there until the next day.

Smith had been handcuffed with his hands behind his back. He had no water, no food, and no way to go to a bathroom. His screams went unheard for 18 hours.

On Wednesday, Kane County Judge Timothy Sheldon apologized to Smith, and while Smith tells the Chicago Tribune he appreciates the apology, he says he is considering his legal options.

Kane County Sheriff Patrick Perez has ordered an investigation.

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