Galvan is facing multiple charges including manslaughter.
Sheriff Gene Kelly said he sends his sympathy to the family of Parker, but said the his office is not responsible for her death.
“It is the power of addiction that caused this death,” he said.
“We did everything that we could to prevent it and we did everything by the letter of the law,” Kelly said.
The office has policies and procedures designed to ensure the jail is safe from drugs, Kelly said, but a former employee failed to follow those rules. A thorough internal investigation was conducted by his office and a criminal investigation as well. The employee who failed to find the drugs has since resigned, he said.
Kelly said Parker willing took the drugs.
“I am very proud of our polices and I am very proud we found who brought it into the jail,” he said.
Enon attorney Michael Edwards is representing the family in the lawsuit. He said it is the plaintiffs belief that the sheriff’s office should have done more to protect Parker.
“(Parker) was recovering, she had been drug free for several months and we simply feel that the deputies in charge of the jail have an obligation for the safety of their inmate,” Edwards said.
He said it is also believed that deputies did not check on Parker throughout the night that she died and that they should have. Kelly said a full investigation was conducted and much of it will be released throughout the proceedings.
Edwards said Parker was a mother and the money will go to raising her children if the lawsuit is successful.
“As a result of the untimely death of Ms. Parker, her parents, Emma and Richard Wallace, are now the sole providers for her two minor children,” The lawsuit reads. “The Wallace’s are near retirement age and do not have the resources to raise two children…”
Edwards said he tried to work out a settlement with the county before filing the lawsuit, but was unable to do so.
CLARK COUNTY
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