PEKIN, Ill. – An inmate at the Tazewell County Jail is recovering after overdosing on heroin while in custody.
He was identified by his aunt Tana as Gavin Faichney, 21, whom jail records indicate is still behind bars on charges including Arson.
Tana Faichney tells 25 News no one told the family what was happening after the overdose last Wednesday.
“I understand that people make mistakes and people are responsible for their actions, but we’re all still humans,” said Tana Faichney. “Who is responsible, and why did this happen? This could have been prevented and it should have been prevented.”
For his part, Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower says family members aren’t typically notified unless the inmates somehow do it, because those in the jail are adults.
Lower tells 25 News sometimes items can slip through full-body scanners, strip searches aren’t done without cause, and training and equipment upgrades happen frequently.
“If it’s not working you change it. Somebody missed something. It is a fact of life. It happens,” said Lower. “We will double our efforts to try and strengthen those processes so that next time it won’t happen.”
Lower says he otherwise can’t comment on the situation, because it’s part of an ongoing investigation. He does say it’s the first time in 20 years an overdose has happened there.
Gavin Faichney is scheduled to be in court again January 4.
