PORTLAND, Ore. – Multnomah County may face legal action following the death of a 46-year-old man in its downtown jail earlier this year. Records show the family of Carlos Morris has filed a tort claim notice, signaling intent to sue over the circumstances that led to his death.
Death in Custody
Morris died on Jan. 8 inside the Multnomah County Detention Center, just six days after being booked. According to medical examiner records, he was experiencing opioid withdrawal and ultimately died from complications linked to severe diarrhea.
The night before his death, staff documented that Morris appeared “minimally responsive” and was found covered in urine and feces. Despite those observations, the next morning he was unresponsive and later pronounced dead.
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Arrest Over Minor Theft
Morris had been arrested on Jan. 2 and accused of stealing less than $140 worth of nicotine gum. What began as a low-level theft charge ended in tragedy, raising questions about the treatment of people facing addiction inside county custody.
Family’s Legal Notice
On Feb. 7, attorney Matthew Kaplan, representing the Morris family, sent a letter to the county instructing officials to preserve all evidence related to Morris’s death. The letter makes clear that a lawsuit may follow.
“The claims against Multnomah County and its Sheriff’s Department may include failure to adequately supervise and monitor inmates and failure to provide adequate medical care to an inmate,” Kaplan wrote.
The family argues that jail staff failed to intervene despite visible signs of medical crisis, denying Morris the care that could have saved his life.
County’s Response
Multnomah County officials have declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. The Sheriff’s Office and county leaders have previously faced scrutiny over inmate healthcare, particularly for those detoxing from drugs or alcohol while in custody.
Broader Context
Deaths connected to substance withdrawal in U.S. jails have become an increasing concern for civil rights advocates. Medical experts warn that opioid withdrawal, while not always fatal, can become life-threatening without adequate monitoring and treatment, especially when symptoms such as severe diarrhea and dehydration are left unaddressed.
Advocates argue that cases like Morris’s highlight systemic problems: inadequate medical staffing, lack of timely intervention, and policies that criminalize addiction rather than treat it.
What Comes Next
A tort claim is the first step toward filing a civil lawsuit. If the Morris family pursues legal action, they could seek damages for wrongful death and constitutional violations, arguing that the county failed in its duty of care.
For now, Morris’s death remains under review as his family presses for accountability. What began with a minor theft case has turned into a potential legal battle over jail conditions, inmate healthcare, and the responsibilities of Multnomah County to protect those in its custody.
