GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Mesa County has agreed to pay $1.6 million to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit and the Jail’s former medical provider will pay $400,025 in the 2014 jail death of Tomas Beauford, per CBS Colorado Investigators.

Beauford lived with developmental disabilities and suffered from epileptic seizures. A device Beauford wore on his wrist to lessen the effects of seizures was taken away when he was booked in the Mesa County Jail.

An autopsy revealed Beauford died of a “sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.” The MCSO issued a letter of apology to the family.

I apologize to you and your family that your son, Tomas, died in our custody and care. SInce 2014, we have changed our inmate medical and mental health services provider. Please know we have examined and will continue to look for ways to improve ourselves, our policies and procedures to make sure that all life is respected and cared for to the best of our ability.

Mesa County Sheriff’s Office

Beauford was scheduled to be released from the Mesa County Jail the same month he died.