The family of Juan Miguel Muñoz Peñalver, a 21-year-old Cuban who died while in custody at a Kentucky jail, has filed a federal lawsuit against Louisville's government. The lawsuit accuses prison and medical staff of neglecting Muñoz Peñalver during his severe health decline leading to his death.
Muñoz Peñalver passed away on February 26, merely 12 days after being admitted to the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC). His death certificate cited acute psychosis due to dehydration, linked to "voluntary/self-imposed refusal of hydration, nutrition, and medical care." Officially, his death was ruled a suicide.
In a federal lawsuit highlighted by the Courier Journal, his stepmother, Ivelipse Muñoz, questions how someone in custody could deteriorate to such a critical state without receiving necessary care.
"It's a death from dehydration in a first-world country. How can this happen?" asked Jon Little, the family's attorney.
Dreams of a Better Future Dashed
The young Cuban arrived in the United States in June 2024 under parole with a two-year work permit and was in the process of obtaining permanent residency. He worked as a barber and was saving money to formally study the trade. His stepmother recalls his ambition to become a millionaire before turning 30.
In January 2025, he was hospitalized for three weeks at the University of Louisville Hospital, diagnosed with paranoid psychosis. Despite this, he stopped taking his medication, believing he was not ill.
Alarming Signs Ignored
On February 14, he was arrested for assault and other charges, though he had not been convicted at the time of his death. His stepmother claims he was experiencing an episode that day.
Two days after entering the jail, he attempted suicide using a bedsheet. Officials intervened, placing him under suicide watch for 24 hours, after which he was supposed to be checked every 30 minutes, as per documents from the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting.
His condition continued to worsen.
The lawsuit claims Muñoz Peñalver stopped taking medication, dressing, and walking independently while his cell became littered with trash, urine, and feces. By February 23, a professional assessed him as suffering from severe "decompensated psychosis" and unable to care for himself. The family argues that basic health parameters, such as weight, temperature, and food and liquid intake, were inadequately monitored.
Neglect Captured on Camera
Investigative journalists previously obtained records revealing another critical element. Camera footage from his cell showed that around 11:15 p.m. on February 25, Muñoz Peñalver lay down near the door and apparently did not move again.
He was found unresponsive over five hours later, just before 4:30 a.m. By then, he had died.
Documents obtained at the time did not clarify whether the mandated 30-minute checks were conducted during those hours. Prison authorities have declined to answer that question as the investigation continues.
Lawsuit Targets Multiple Parties
The 25-page lawsuit filed on September 21 names the Louisville metropolitan government, jail director Jerry Collins, the healthcare provider, and about 20 unidentified officials and healthcare professionals as defendants. The family argues that those responsible were aware of the young man's deteriorating state and failed to take necessary protective measures.
Ice had placed a detainer on Muñoz Peñalver at the time of his death, which typically requests jails to hold an individual for up to 48 additional hours beyond their release time to transfer custody to immigration authorities. However, court records show he was not close to release as his bail was set at $20,000, and he was due to appear in court again on the day he died.
This tragedy has reignited criticism of the conditions at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. Since 2021, the ACLU of Kentucky has counted 23 deaths under custody in this facility, and previous audits have highlighted staffing, infrastructure, and protocol compliance issues.
The family had taken legal action months earlier, filing a claim in June against YesCare, the medical provider at the jail during Muñoz Peñalver's death, which has since gone bankrupt. Following his passing, family and friends launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover Juan Miguel’s funeral and memorial expenses. They remembered him as a beloved young man who came to the U.S. seeking a new life, aiming to ease the unexpected financial burden his death left behind and allow loved ones to say goodbye.
For Ivelipse, the lawsuit now seeks answers about what transpired during her stepson's final days in custody. "Juan Miguel—known as Miguel to many—was a young man with dreams, plans, and a future ahead of him," she wrote. "Yes, he had mental health challenges, but they never diminished the value of his life."
Understanding the Tragic Case of Juan Miguel Muñoz Peñalver
What was the cause of Juan Miguel Muñoz Peñalver's death?
Juan Miguel Muñoz Peñalver died from acute psychosis due to dehydration, linked with voluntary refusal of hydration, nutrition, and medical care.
Why was the family of Muñoz Peñalver filing a lawsuit?
The family filed a lawsuit against the Louisville government and prison staff, accusing them of neglecting Muñoz Peñalver’s deteriorating health and failing to provide necessary care.
What were the conditions in the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections?
The conditions in the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections have been criticized for issues with staffing, infrastructure, and compliance with basic protocols, as highlighted by the ACLU of Kentucky and previous audits.