Woman who gave birth in county jail files civil rights lawsuit

EVERETT — A woman who gave birth in the Snohomish County Jail in 2013 has filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court.

Tawni Kosnosky, now 27, alleges that jail staff ignored her cries for help and denied her medical care during the labor.

She gave birth on the toilet in her cell on Feb. 2, 2013. She had been booked five days earlier for a no-bail warrant related to allegations of forgery, possession of a controlled substance, possession of stolen mail and trafficking in stolen property.

Kosnosky, who weighed about 95 pounds, was seven months pregnant and being monitored for heroin withdrawals after she was booked, records show. She told jail staff she had not received any prenatal care and was using heroin every day.

The lawsuit, filed this week in U.S. District Court, alleges that Kosnosky asked multiple times for help during the labor and was told to lie down. She continued to ask for help and was told to stop pushing the emergency button in her cell, she alleges, before she gave birth “frightened and alone.”

The “outrageous conduct” by jail staff caused Kosnosky extreme distress, the suit says. It does not name a dollar amount. A claim filed against the county in October, as a precursor to the lawsuit, sought $150,000.

Snohomish County will review the lawsuit and respond, said Jason Cummings, the chief civil deputy prosecutor.

The sheriff’s office in 2013 reported that the baby arrived less than 30 minutes after Kosnosky’s water broke.

After the birth, Kosnosky and the baby boy were taken to Providence Regional Medical Center’s women’s pavilion. She was later sent back to the jail. State social workers were called to determine the custody of the newborn, who weighed less than 5 pounds.

The boy was placed with Kosnosky’s family, according to court papers.

Medical care at the jail has been the focus of other lawsuits, and reforms, after a series of inmate deaths starting in 2010. Significant changes have been made under Sheriff Ty Trenary, including increased medical staffing, reduced crowding and an overhaul of jail leadership.

In the 2013 court case, Kosnosky was found in possession of more than 30 pieces of stolen mail and tried to pass stolen checks.

After she was released from jail in that case, she attended drug treatment, but walked out of the treatment center despite a court order to seek help for her addiction, documents show. A warrant was issued for her arrest that May.

She was issued a summons on March 20 related to unpaid court fines. A hearing on the matter is scheduled later this month.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.