San Diego jail wrongly held 82-year-old with dementia in solitary confinement, where he died, new lawsuit says

The family of Karim Talib, an 82-year-old man with dementia who died this year in the San Diego Central Jail, says in a new federal civil rights lawsuit that sheriff’s deputies and jail medical staff ignored clear signs his health was deteriorating in the days leading up to his death.

The lawsuit, filed Dec. 19, alleges violations of Talib’s constitutional rights, deliberate indifference to his needs, systemic failures and elder abuse, among other claims. It names as defendants the County of San Diego, the Sheriff’s Office and jail medical contractor NaphCare, along with doctors, nurses and mental health clinicians.

Talib — who had dementia, relied on a wheelchair and was incontinent — was arrested in August 2024 after assaulting his roommate at the senior care facility where they lived. The roommate later died from the assault.

Court records show Talib’s attorney raised concerns early on about his client’s mental competency. Last December, he was found incompetent to stand trial — a psychiatrist had determined he was unable to understand his charges, what was at stake or assist his attorney in his own defense.

Talib was transferred to a state hospital for treatment, but after five months there, the lawsu...