Family of inmate who died of dehydration settles claim

COUPEVILLE, Wash. (AP) _ The family of a man who died from dehydration and malnutrition in the Island County Jail has reached a $4 million settlement with three counties.

Keaton Farris died in April, and an investigation revealed the water to his cell had been turned off, and officers failed to check on the 25-year-old.

The Daily Herald reports (http://goo.gl/IGHp9M ) as part of the settlement, a corrections expert will monitor the jail for 18 months. Farris' family's own expert will also review recommendations and work with that expert.

Farris' family filed a tort claim in August, alleging officers neglected Harris and withheld basic needs.

His dad, red Farris, acknowledged that the county has tried to change jail conditions and he hopes they continue to work together on those changes.

The settlement was reached Monday with Island, San Juan and Skagit counties, which share a risk pool. Harris shuffled between jails before ending up at the Coupeville lockup.