The family of a young woman who died while in custody at the Atlanta City Detention Center is demanding answers.
Noni Battiste-Kosoko was found unresponsive in her cell on July 11, just six days after her 19th birthday.
Her mother, Shashu Battiste, spoke at a press conference on Thursday, with her sky-blue urn sitting beside her.
“My only daughter,” Battiste said. “She was premature when she came into this world, and she left prematurely. I am completely beside myself with questions.”
According to authorities, Battiste-Kosoko was being held on a misdemeanor bench warrant at the city’s detention center in an area that’s controlled by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office when she died.
A cause of death has not been released, and an investigation is underway.
But, attorney Dr. Roderick Edmond said, the family intends to sue. A copy of the notice sent to Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts says the county has 30 days to accept a settlement demand for $10 million.
“Most of the time when people die, it’s not anybody’s fault, but when you have a situation where there has been a history of suspicion and now that there’s a lack of information, that’s why we’re here,” Edmond said.
Battiste-Kosoko’s case has been gaining attention since the U.S. Department of Justice said it was launching an investigation into poor conditions atFulton County’s jail facilities.
Meanwhile, the Fulton County Commission agreed to a $4 million settlement last week for the death of Lashawn Thompson, whose body was found in his cell covered in bed bugs.
