Man dies from untreated appendicitis after Rikers release

A 20-year-old man named Ariel Quidone likely died from untreated appendicitis shortly after being released from Rikers Island jail, his family says. They claim he received poor medical care while incarcerated. Quidone was arrested on March 6 for robbery charges. His family reported that he was healthy at the time of his arrest. Eight days later, Quidone was taken to Elmhurst Hospital, where doctors discovered his appendix had burst. He later died from septic shock. His family believes that if he had received proper medical attention, his death could have been prevented. They are also investigating whether an injury to his liver, mentioned by the hospital, was caused by an assault while he was in jail. Quidone's family expressed their concern when he missed a court appearance on March 12. They said they were not informed of his health problems until he was already hospitalized. His sister, Kaylin Quidone, described him as someone who brought joy to those around him and is now seeking justice for his death. The New York City Department of Correction has not commented on this specific case, but they mentioned that Quidone experienced a medical emergency on March 13. The agency did not provide further details about his death since he was released just before he passed away. This incident raises concerns about the healthcare provided at Rikers, a facility that has been criticized for years regarding its treatment of detainees. An independent report stated that the city is falling behind on plans to close Rikers by 2027. Since 2020, at least 60 people have died in custody at this jail, prompting further calls for investigation.