By Brooklynn Wong
Two men died in the same week last November after being arrested by area police departments. The Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) Office investigated both deaths and in May, released letters disclosing the results.
Shawn Derrick Cadavas
On Nov. 7, 2017, Anaheim Police Department (APD) responded to a call reporting transients trespassing on a business’ premises. When officers arrived, they contacted 44-year-old Shawn Derrick Cadavas. After officers checked his record, Cadavas was arrested pursuant to Penal Code section 3455, Violation of Parole.
When APD booked Cadavas at the Anaheim Detention Facility, he disclosed that he was “ill,” but did not elaborate further.
A chest x-ray was taken later, and the attending physician saw what appeared to be a Tuberculosis infection. Cadavas was transported to Anaheim Global Medical Center for further testing.
Cadavas tested positive for Hepatitis C and leukocytosis and showed signs and symptoms consistent with Tuberculosis.
Cadavas began having hallucinations, suicidal ideations and confusion. Doctor Ravinder Singh diagnosed Cadavas with psychotic disorder, most likely schizoaffective disorder.
On Nov. 12, Cadavas’ nurses were unable to provide intravenous fluids due to his collapsed veins, resulting from a long history of drug use. The attending physician spoke with Cadavas and urged him to allow them to start a central IV line. Though he initially refused, he eventually consented. He then began to experience low blood pressure and irregular breathing. He stopped breathing, at which point he was resuscitated.
At 1 a.m. however he went into cardiac arrest. Though lifesaving efforts were attempted, Cadavas was declared deceased at 1:07 a.m.
Nelson Ward
Buena Park Police Department arrested Nelson Ward on Sept. 12, 2015 for murder, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Ward was a 60-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, asthma, peripheral neuropathy, depression, anxiety and back pain.
For the next two years, Ward was housed at the Theo Lacy Jail Facility, where he received regular care for his medical conditions.
In 2017, Ward reported that he was experiencing pain on the right side of his stomach. An ultrasound was taken on Aug. 29, which found that there were multiple masses in Ward’s liver.
Further scans the following month found more foreign bodies in Ward’s organs.
Ward had frequently refused treatment for his numerous medical conditions while in custody.
Ward was hospitalized on Nov. 6. Doctors recommended that Ward be placed on dialysis immediately, but Ward did not wish to take such measures and signed a “Do-Not-Resuscitate” medical directive.
Twelve days later Ward was pronounced deceased.
The results
In both cases, law enforcement was found to not be in any part at fault.
It was determined that Cadavas’ death was as a result of pneumonia with a history of chronic heroin use. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department owed Cadavas a duty of care, and there was no evidence suggesting that he was not given such care.
Similarly, Ward’s death was found to be of natural causes with the report listing the following conditions at fault: ascites, pulmonary congestion and edema, pulmonary consolidation, cardiomegaly, mild coronary atherosclerosis, cirrhosis, metastatic tumor, nephrosclerosis, pancreatic mass and hilar adenopathy. Also, “several ‘masses’ consistent with cancer” were found in his pancreas, liver and lungs.
In neither case was any malice performed by officials or any duty neglected.
