The family of a Yakama Nation teen who died in a holding cell at the Chemawa Indian School in Oregon has filed suit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The lawsuit seeks $24 million for the death of Cindy Gilbert Sohappy. It was filed on December 6, exactly two years after Sohappy died.

Sohappy had been placed in a cell for being intoxicated. No one appears to have been checking up on her while she was in there for three or so hours. The autopsy determined the cause of death was alcohol poisoning.

The BIA stopped using holding cells after the incident.

Get the Story:
Family sues government for teen's death (AP 12/9)

Oregonian Special Series:
Warm Springs - A Place Where Children Die

Relevant Links:
Chemawa Indian School - http://www.chemawa.bia.edu

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