Federal inmate dies from coronavirus after giving birth on ventilator

[Judi Lynn]

Source: The Hill

Federal inmate dies from coronavirus after giving birth on ventilator
BY JUSTIN WISE - 04/29/20 10:11 AM EDT

A 30-year-old federal inmate who gave birth on a ventilator in early April has died due to complications from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, the Federal Bureau of Prisons said Tuesday.

Andrea Circle Bear, who had a pre-existing medical condition, is believed to be the first female federal inmate to die of the respiratory disease. The 30-year-old woman was in custody serving a 26-month sentence for maintaining a drug involved premises.

She was transferred on March 20 to FMC Carswell, a federal prison medical facility in Fort Worth, Texas, for female inmates with unique medical and mental health needs. She was immediately quarantined upon her arrival.

Just a week after being transferred to the facility, Circle Bear was admitted to a hospital due to concerns about her pregnancy, the Bureau of Prisons said. While she was discharged the same day, Circle Bear was transferred back to the hospital on March 31 after experiencing a fever, dry cough and other symptoms.

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/495214-federal-inmate-dies-from-coronavirus-after-giving-birth-on-ventilator

[Jamastiene]

1. Will the baby have Covid too or do they know?

Has anyone else, in prison or not in prison, with Covid-19 given birth yet? That would be interesting to know.

I wish someone would explain how the antibodies for it can be in someone who hasn't had it. Or maybe they had a milder case of it and got the antibodies. I wonder if the kid would have it or have antibodies for it or what.

[Laffy Kat]

2. So very sad. Hopefully, the baby will survive. nt

[efhmc]

3. This whole event is deeply sad.

[rzemanfl]

4. WTAF is "maintaining a drug involved premises?"

On edit, I looked it up-very broad, could cover anything from a meth lab to people smoking pot at a party.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/21/856

[FBaggins]

6. She let someone else sell meth on her property

Reportedly several incidents in April 2018. She was also indicted for possession with intent to distribute... so it might not have been "someone else" - they just might not have been able to prove that she sold the stuff.

[rzemanfl]

8. Source? n/t

[Hortensis]

9. Here's one: US Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/eagle-butte-woman-sentenced-maintaining-drug-involved-premises

And from the Rapid City Journal: "The case stems from a confidential informant making two meth purchases from Circle Bear back in April 2018, according to the factual basis document she signed. Circle Bear was found with eight grams (.02 pounds) of meth at the home, which she did not live in but used for distributing drugs.

Interesting that they were federal charges instead of state. I don't know what triggers that. Sales were on a reservation, though.

Such a tragedy. One account said her preexisting condition made her high risk. Guessing the baby's fine, wonder if he has family who will be able to take him.

[StevieM]

11. The mother was married with at least one other child.

And she seems to have a family back in South Dakota.

I just hope that Texas does the right thing and reunites that child with his family.

[ret5hd]

5. Google "fw weekly Carswell" ...

for an idea of the conditions in that prison.

[NotHardly]

7. This is not a 'sad' event, this is an inhumane event ... moreover, why do we not know the

infection rate and death rate of Federal Inmates and Prison Staff? Why is there no information as to what protections (or lack thereof) are occurring in these facilities that exist on the shoulders of the American taxpayer? Why are they hiding? Why is it so goddamn hard for the Republican Administration to tell truth?

[StevieM]

10. I hope that Texas does the right thing and helps reunite that baby with its family.

The baby boy's family is from South Dakota. And his mom was married with at least one other child. So he has plenty of family to love him.