AZ Grandmother Sues Jail For Making Her Drink Toilet Water

An Arizona grandma is suing the Gila County Jail, claiming false imprisonment, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She was held without criminal charges and forced to drink toilet water.

Tamara Barnicoat was jailed in October of 2019 after being arrested on suspicion of trespassing and other minor crimes. She was having a psychotic episode at the time.

Barnicoat was held for 27 days before being released because no criminal charges were filed against her.

Barnicoat was exhibiting "bizarre behavior" which led a jail employee to decide to turn off the water to her cell so she wouldn't splash it and make a mess.

The employee did not properly log that information, and Barnicoat was deprived of water for two days. She wasn't able to advocate for herself because of her mental illness, so she became thirsty and had to drink the toilet water.

Barnicoat told ABC 15, "I want them to change things at the jail because it was so devastating."

Barnicoat's attorney Robert J. Campos stated, "Simply because someone is mentally ill is not a crime. We should not put them in a jail, and forget about them, and throw away the key."

The attorney says that the case is not about getting a "big payday," it's about correcting a "big injustice."

Photo: Getty Images

Source: ABC 15