Jamycheal Mitchell, a 24-year-old black man from Virginia, was found dead in his cell on Aug. 19, emaciated beyond recognition. He was arrested in Portsmouth in April for stealing a zebra cake, a Snickers bar and a can of Mountain Dew from a 7-Eleven. Mitchell had a history of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Authorities are reportedly not viewing his death as suspicious.
Mitchell was not given the opportunity to be released on bail, The Guardian reported on Friday, though the goods he stole were worth around $5.
Early on in Mitchell's four months in jail, a judge ordered that he be transferred to a mental health facility in Williamsburg, Virginia. But that never happened. Hospital officials said they didn't have a spare bed for Mitchell.
If the state is going to incarcerate somebody it's up to the state to care for that person #JamychealMitchell's death is pure negligence— Bassem Masri (@bassem_masri) August 28, 2015
Though officials have yet to conduct an autopsy, Mitchell reportedly refused food and antipsychotic medication while in jail, and family members said he lost a significant amount of weight before his death.
Family members also struggled to get in touch with Mitchell while he was jailed. His mental state was reportedly deteriorating while he declined medication, and he had not provided officials with a list of approved visitors.