Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00106/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00106-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Black
Defendant
Lisa Ann Butler
Plaintiff
Sandy Carmichael
Defendant
Craighead County Jail
Defendant
Does
Defendant

Document Text:

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

JONESBORO DIVISION 

LISA ANN BUTLER PLAINTIFF

V. CASE NO. 3:19-CV-106-KGB-BD

CRAIGHEAD COUNTY JAIL, et al. DEFENDANTS 

ORDER

Dana M. Presley, a detainee in the Craighead County Detention Facility, filed this 

lawsuit on behalf of herself and three other detainees: Lisa Ann Butler,1

 Billie Jo Cossey, 

and Pauline Lomax. (Docket entries #1, #3) In accordance with Court policy, each 

Plaintiff’s claims were filed as a separate lawsuit. (#2) Ms. Butler has now filed a second 

amended complaint, as directed by the Court. (#6) 

In her second amended complaint, Ms. Butler claims: unconstitutional conditions 

of confinement; denial of medical treatment by Defendant Black; and verbal 

mistreatment by Defendant Carmichael at the Detention Facility. The only individuals 

Ms. Butler names in her second amended complaint are Nurse Black and Sandy 

Carmichael. She does not indicate which Defendant (if either) was responsible for moldy 

showers, plumbing problems, or ant infestation. 

Ms. Butler has arguably stated a constitutional claim against Nurse Black for 

allegedly failing to provide adequate medical care; however, on the complaint form, Ms. 

Butler has indicated that she is suing the Defendants in their official capacities only. 

 

1

 In the original complaint, Ms. Butler’s name was misspelled “Buttler.” The Clerk of 

Court is directed to correct Plaintiff’s name on the docket sheet to Lisa Butler. 

Case 3:19-cv-00106-KGB Document 7 Filed 05/16/19 Page 1 of 2
2 

Because Defendants are employees of Craighead County, the official-capacity claims are, 

in effect, claims against the County. Official-capacity claims are appropriate only where 

defendants allegedly violated a detainee’s right by carrying out a County policy or 

custom. Parrish v. Ball, 594 F.3d 993, 997 (8th Cir. 2010). Here, there is no allegation 

that the Defendants violated Ms. Butler’s rights by following a Craighead County policy 

or custom. 

Ms. Butler will have one more opportunity to amend her complaint. She must 

make clear whether she is suing Defendants in their individual capacities or in their 

official capacities, or both. For official-capacity claims, Ms. Butler must state the County 

policy or custom that caused Defendants to violate her rights. For individual-capacity 

claims, she must explain how each Defendant violated her federally protected rights. 

Ms. Butler is advised that the allegation that Ms. Carmichael was verbally abusive, 

even if true, is not conduct that rises to a constitutional level. Doe v. Gooden, 214 F.3d 

952, 955 (8th Cir. 2000) (“[v]erbal abuse is normally not a constitutional violation”). 

Ms. Butler has thirty days to amend her complaint. Her failure to do so may result 

in the dismissal of some, or all, of her claims, without prejudice. 

IT IS SO ORDERED, this 16th day of May, 2019. 

 

 ___________________________________ 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

Case 3:19-cv-00106-KGB Document 7 Filed 05/16/19 Page 2 of 2