Judge allows woman’s suit over jail miscarriage to proceed

HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) – A federal judge has ruled that a northern Indiana woman can proceed with her lawsuit alleging negligence in a miscarriage she suffered while in custody.

Nakehba Hooper sued a former Porter County sheriff, the jail’s warden, the county’s commissioners, the medical company that contracts with the jail and five jail officers.

The Merrillville woman alleges she was five months pregnant when she was arrested on theft charges in October 2012.

The (Munster) Times reports Hooper alleges she suffered a miscarriage after jail officers and medical staff failed to ensure she had proper medication and medical care.

A judge dismissed Hooper’s claims Wednesday against the jail warden, the commissioners and the medical company. But he ruled her claims against former sheriff Dave Lain, the jail officers and others can proceed.