Golden, Colorado – The family of a 27-year-old woman who died while incarcerated at a Colorado county jail has filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging that medical staff ignored clear signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction and repeatedly administered an antibiotic she had specifically identified as dangerous to her.
Woman Entered Jail for Minor Offense
Ashley Raisbeck, 27, was booked into the Jefferson County Detention Center in Golden, Colorado, in December 2023 after pleading guilty to false reporting, a minor offense. According to the lawsuit, Raisbeck was serving a short sentence while also undergoing detoxification as she came off drugs.
Court filings state that Raisbeck had a long medical history documented in jail records, including known allergies to penicillin, Vicodin, and codeine. Those allergies were reportedly confirmed again during her medical intake when she was booked into custody.
Antibiotic Prescribed Despite Known Allergy
During her intake exam, nurses observed sores on Raisbeck’s face, arms, and legs. While she was placed on a detox protocol, another nurse prescribed cephalexin, commonly known as Keflex, an antibiotic chemically related to penicillin and generally contraindicated for patients with penicillin allergies.
The lawsuit claims Raisbeck had previously refused Keflex during an earlier jail stay, and that refusal—along with her allergy—was documented in her medical records. Despite this history, medical staff allegedly began administering the drug again in December 2023.
Seven Doses Given as Condition Worsened
According to the lawsuit, Raisbeck was given Keflex seven times while in custody. After several doses, she began experiencing severe symptoms that worsened over time…