Settlement For Clayton County Family in Wrongful Death Claim

The insurer for Clayton County will pay $350,000 to the family of a Dyersville man who hanged himself in the county jail as part of a settlement. Iowa District Court Judge Monica Wittig recently approved the settlement, deeming it “fair, reasonable and in the best interest” of the family members, who filed a wrongful-death suit on behalf of themselves, their son’s estate and his two minor children. 32 year old Michael Breckenfelder was incarcerated on November 6, 2016, on domestic assault and burglary charges. He was found unresponsive in jail the next day. Reports say Breckenfelder hanged himself using jail-supplied clothing. Under the settlement, Iowa Communities Assurance Pool will pay $350,000. In the suit, the family members stated that they were advised by jail staff not to bail out their son — who had drugs in his system — because he would be safer in jail, where he could be monitored. The family alleges a failure to train jail staff, supervise and protect Breckenfelder.