NOW WHO GOES TO JAIL? –
April 19, 2026 – In May 2024, Breanna Esparza died behind bars from a fentanyl overdose just hours before she was to be released on May 29, 2024, according to a recently filed wrongful death suit. She left behind a 14-year-old son, who is now being cared for by his grandparents. “She had been asking for mental health help or some kind of counseling and they never gave it to her,” said Esparza’s father, Jesus Esparza. “My biggest fear was that someone was going to find her dead on the street. I thought she would be safe and protected in jail. So to find this out, it blew my mind.”
Esparza’s father filed the lawsuit March 25 against the Sandoval County Commission, medical contracting company CorrHealth, the Sandoval County Detention Center and various employees of the facility.
The lawsuit filed in 13th Judicial District Court alleges Esparza’s overdose and subsequent death were due to negligent behavior and a failure to prevent drugs from getting into the jail.
