Mother Sues Over Son’s Death on Rikers Island

The mother of a mentally ill man who died last year on Rikers Island is suing the city, as well as several high-ranking Department of Correction officials and a private healthcare contractor.

Beverly Ann Griffin said her son Bradley Ballard died because he was held in solitary confinement for seven days and denied food and medication.

“I miss Bradley so much, I feel a deep cut in me from the loss of my baby,” said a tearful Griffin, at a news conference in a Manhattan law office.

Bradley Ballard died on September 11, 2013.

The Bronx District Attorney is investigating Ballard's death. The US Attorney in New York recently released a report that's highly critical of how inmates are treated in the Rikers Island detention facility.

The city Law Department said only that it will review the lawsuit.

Corizon, the private company that provides healthcare services on the island, did not immediately comment. The company is also named in the lawsuit.