ELKHART, Ind. — The family of a 39-year-old man who died of dehydration while in custody at the Elkhart County Correctional Center has filed a federal lawsuit against several county officials, jail employees and a private health care company.
Thomas “Tommy” Ricke died May 11, 2025, four days after he was transferred to the Elkhart County jail, according to the lawsuit filed Sept. 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
Ricke’s sister, Melissa Ricke, filed the lawsuit as the representative of his estate. The lawsuit names Wellpath LLC, Elkhart County, Elkhart County Sheriff Jeff Siegel, Marion County, Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal and several medical and correctional personnel as defendants…