GRAPHIC: Video shows inmate allegedly ‘begged’ for medical care, family sues jail over his death

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - A Minnesota family says their son suffered a “horrific” death in the Hennepin County Jail and now they are taking legal action.

Lucas Bellamy’s father filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday alleging his son “was forced to crawl on his hands and knees as he begged for medical care.”

WARNING: The video may be disturbing to some viewers.

“For nearly a day Lucas crawled on the floor and begged to see a doctor,” the family’s attorney said.

It is an image no parent ever wishes to see, but a video shared by an attorney for Lucas Bellamy’s family shows his final moments.

“I’m haunted by these images. I always will be. Our family always will be, but I’m never going to stop fighting for him,” his mother Colleen Bellamy said.

Lucas Bellamy died in July 2022 from a perforated bowel while in custody at the Hennepin County Jail.

The lawsuit alleges he begged for medical care.

Among nurses and a prison guard, it names Hennepin Healthcare System and Hennepin County in his wrongful death.

“It can’t go unanswered. Those people who chose to disregard his pleas for help. It is their job,” his father Louis Bellamy said.

Beyond accountability, the Bellamys say they want to make sure this pain does not happen to anyone else.

“And so when you see the grief that this family is experiencing, keep in mind that this is not a one-off situation,” attorney Jeff Storms said.

The lawsuit alleges that more detainees have died inside the Hennepin County Jail than any other detention center in Minnesota.

“We hope as a family that by raising awareness about how my brother died that we can prevent the abuse and willful neglect that Lucas suffered,” his sister Sarah Bellamy said.

His family says this is a push for justice amid deep grief.

“This is an incredibly painful time for my family but we will fight for justice for my brother and we will never, never forget him,” Sarah Bellamy said.

In separate statements, both Hennepin County and Hennepin Healthcare said they cannot comment on pending litigation, but extended their condolences to the Bellamy family.