ICE Detainee Who Died From Dental Infection Repeatedly Declined Recommended Treatment, Autopsy Report Shows

A Haitian man who died after months in federal immigration custody in Arizona succumbed to complications stemming from severe dental disease, according to an autopsy report released this month, which also found that he had declined recommended tooth extractions prior to his hospitalization.

Emmanuel Damas, 56, died March 2 at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center after being held at the Central Arizona Florence Correctional Center, an immigration detention facility operated by CoreCivic under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to an autopsy report first reported by the Associated Press and detailed by ABC15, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as complications of “necrotizing mediastinitis with neck and retropharyngeal abscess in the setting of severe dental caries and periodontal disease.” 

According to a press release from ICE, Damas, a Haitian national, entered the United States near Brownsville, Texas, in August 2024 and was later released pending immigration proceedings. ICE said Damas was arrested by the Boston Police Department in September 2025 on assault-and-battery charges and subsequently taken into ICE custody before being transferred to the Florence detention facility in Arizona pending immigration proceedings. 

The autopsy report, first detailed by the AP, stated that Damas underwent a dental evaluation in October 2025 during which medical staff determined that he required a tooth extraction and was placed on a waiting list for treatment.

When the extraction appointment became available approximately three months later, Damas declined the procedure, reportedly stating that the tooth no longer hurt. The autopsy report further stated that during a subsequent dental appointment in mid-February, Damas again declined recommendations that problematic teeth be removed.

Days later, after complaining of sore throat and abdominal pain, detention staff directed Damas to report to the medical unit, according to the report. The autopsy findings stated that he refused medical evaluation at that time.

On Feb. 19, Damas was transported to a hospital after experiencing respiratory distress and was later transferred between medical facilities for higher-level treatment. He died eleven days later in Scottsdale.

The autopsy report stated that the fatal infection involved abscesses in Damas’ neck and throat associated with severe dental disease. Arizona Family and KJZZ previously reported that Damas’ death followed weeks of reported dental pain while in custody.

Damas’ death initially drew national attention following allegations from family members and immigration advocates that his complaints of worsening tooth pain were ignored while in detention. His brother, Presly Nelson, previously told media outlets that Damas suffered prolonged dental pain and did not receive timely treatment.

Family attorney Raymond Audain disputed any suggestion that Damas’ treatment refusals absolved detention officials of responsibility.

In a statement quoted by the AZ Family, Audain said Damas “begged prison staff for medical care on numerous occasions including the night before he was hospitalized, but he was ignored.” Audain said the family’s own investigation concluded Damas died from sepsis caused by an infection that originated with tooth pain.

The autopsy findings, however, added additional context to the case by documenting that medical intervention had been recommended before Damas’ condition became fatal and that he declined both dental extractions and later medical evaluation.

The case also reflects a broader limitation facing detention medical providers. Detainees generally retain the right to decline medical treatment, and detention facilities cannot ordinarily compel non-emergency medical procedures against the wishes of a competent patient. While detention operators remain responsible for providing access to care and monitoring serious medical conditions, treatment decisions ultimately remain subject to patient consent.

CoreCivic issued a statement expressing condolences while defending its medical practices.

“While we’re unable to share specific information about a detainee’s medical care due to federal privacy laws, we are committed to providing safe, humane and respectful care for everyone entrusted to us,” the company said, adding that it follows federal detention standards and works to ensure timely medical treatment.

ICE also released a statement following Damas’ death outlining the medical response provided during his detention and hospitalization.

According to ICE, Damas was transported from Florence to Banner Casa Grande Medical Center on Feb. 19 before being transferred to Banner University Medical Center in Tucson and later to HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center for additional treatment. ICE stated that “comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay” and said no circumstance surrounding Damas’ death would deter the agency from “carrying out our immigration enforcement mission.” 

While detainee deaths routinely prompt scrutiny of detention medical care and facility oversight, the newly released autopsy report adds additional context to early public accounts of Damas’ death by indicating that treatment had been recommended before his infection became fatal and that he declined portions of that care. The case may nevertheless continue to raise questions about how detention facilities document treatment refusals and monitor detainees whose conditions worsen after declining recommended medical intervention.