Family seeks answers; son died while incarcerated at Potter County jail

The family’s questions have gone unanswered. The Sparkmans live in rural Frederick, Md. and were notified of Sparkman’s death by local sheriffs.

“My husband was visited at the house by the sheriff. He told him that his son was deceased and handed him a paper; he told him to call the Potter County coroner,” said Paul’s mother Dawn Sparkman. “There was no date, no time, nothing. It just said he was deceased.”

Paul’s sister Deona Sparkman said that Kevin Dusenbury, Potter County coroner, did not provide any information.

“The coroner had nothing for me,” she said.

The Potter County jail initially told Paul Sparkman Sr. that his son died early on Friday, Aug. 12.

Dr. Eric Vey, a forensic pathologist with the Erie County coroner’s office, told Deona Sparkman that Paul did not die on Friday but on Thursday, Aug. 11 around 6:30 p.m.

Vey also told Sparkman that Paul Jr. had somehow acquired an extra jumpsuit and used that and a bunkbed ladder in the cell to harm himself.

Sparkman had spoken to his mother by phone on the morning of Thursday, Aug. 11. He had submitted a request for a doctor appointment.

“He was on three different meds,” said Dawn Sparkman. “A male guard was right sitting there with him, talking to Paul, who was crying.”

Sparkman had a history of bipolar disorder. The family’s concern is that Sparkman was mentally unstable at the time, was not supervised properly and was left alone in a cell with materials that he used to harm himself.

The Potter County Commissioners issued a statement: “This incident is under investigation by the Coudersport Borough Police Department and no further information is available at this time.”

Commissioner Paul Heimel said that once the investigation is finished, the commissioners will get the police report for the benefit of the jail board.

“The family’s questions are legitimate,” Heimel said. “But there are protocols and they need to be followed.”

Warden Angela Milford did not return requests for comment.

According to Heimel, Milford is free to offer a statement and does not need permission from the commissioners or the jail board.

Milford has served as warden for one year after serving as a corrections officer and as a deputy warden for almost 30 years.

The jail board was formed 14 months ago in response to concerns about the jail being overseen by the sheriff. Heimel stated in June 2021 that sheriff and warden are two different jobs and it was difficult for one person to perform both positions.

In September 2020, 50-year-old Shane Lyon died by suicide in jail. In March 2006, 19-year-old Christopher Ruter committed suicide while housed there.

The Sparkman family is awaiting a death certificate pending the close of the investigation.