COUNCIL BLUFFS- In 2018, Kevin Pittillo was arrested for 'disturbing the peace.' He was delirious, wandering around in his underwear claiming that he was a KGB agent, when he was picked up and brought to Pottawattamie County Jail.

Some days later, Pittilo was found nude and unresponsive in his cell. He was brought to an Omaha hospital where both of his legs were amputated. The doctor who did the operation claimed that Pittilo was suffering from 'profound ischemia,' disallowing blood from flowing to his legs. One of the surgeons testified that at least one of his legs appeared to be dead.

A Nebraska public guardian assigned to take care of the 66-year-old Pittilo heard about what happened, and filed a lawsuit claiming that his legs had to be amputated because of negligence and lack of medical attention in the jail.

Last November, Pottawattamie County reached a $4.5 million settlement on behalf of the county jail staff. The jail's physician, Dr. Jon Thomas, also agreed to an out-of-court settlement of an undisclosed amount.

Recently, the Court also found that the jail's psychiatrist in charge at the time was also not liable for damages.

Pittilo's attorney claimed that the damages to Pittilo could reach upwards of $30 million, since he lost both legs and now requires 24-hour care.

Lawyers for the psychiatrist, Dr. Ivan Delgado, argued that he should not be held liable, since his job was to ensure the patient's mental well-being, not his physical health.

Michelle Chaffee, director of the Nebraska Office of Public Guardian, though the case was another example of how people with mental illnesses don't get the consideration and treatment they deserve. "It's heartbreaking," said Chaffee, "All of these [mental health care] systems are so broken."

Pittilo now lives in an independent living facility in Omaha, with staff there at all times for assistance.

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