Kaufman County Jail Inmate Found Dead After Midnight Release in Freezing Temperatures

Release into Freezing Temperatures

• 🥶 Rigoberto Badillo, 49, was released from Kaufman County Jail at midnight in mid-January into subfreezing temperatures.
• 👕 He was wearing only a t-shirt and had no one to pick him up upon his release.
• ⚠️ Security footage shows Badillo wandering alone in the jail's parking lot after his release.

Interaction with Deputy

• 🚗 A deputy encountered Badillo, who attempted to enter the backseat of the deputy's car while the deputy was eating lunch.
• 💬 The deputy noted to dispatch that Badillo "didn't seem all there" and requested he be monitored, primarily due to concerns about potential car break-ins.
• 📞 Badillo's family believes this single phone call from the deputy could have prevented his death.

Disappearance and Discovery

• ⏳ Badillo disappeared for weeks after his release, having been serving a short sentence for violating probation for a DWI charge.
• 💔 His family found him decomposing in a creek not far from the jail over a month later.

Legal Action and Investigation

• ⚖️ Badillo's family plans to sue the county, alleging he was released a day early without notification.
• 🔍 The sheriff's office is investigating the circumstances surrounding how Badillo ended up in the creek.
• 🩺 Further clues are expected once Badillo's autopsy results are complete.
• 💰 The family is currently raising funds to cover funeral expenses.