Family wants more mental health resources within Palmetto Police Department following in-custody death


The department cleared officers of any wrongdoing in Breonte Johnson Davis’ death.

PALMETTO, Fla. — A Manatee County family said they are still fighting for justice after Breonte Johnson Davis died while in custody of the Palmetto Police Department.

This week, 10 Tampa Bay told you officers were cleared of wrongdoing in Davis’ death.

His mother Tracey Washington said it feels like putting salt on a wound.

“You killed my baby, and you laugh about it. How can you sleep with yourself at night,” Washington said.

Palmetto Police Department responded to a disturbance call back in November. Davis was tased twice while police were detaining him. Several minutes later he suffered from a medical episode. Police said he died at the hospital the next day. The medical examiner report said Davis died due to complications with a possible overdose.

Davis’ family says this was preventable. They’re now doing their own investigation into the death, but they’re also working to make sure other families don’t have to experience the pain they’re feeling right now.

“The way to do that is to put in place call programs like the one St. Pete has. Where if there is a call with someone having a mental health crisis, someone on drugs or disorderly conduct, mental health professionals are the ones that answer those calls,” said Ruth Beltran, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation said. 


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *