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Doctor reports no brain activity for Jeffrey Deats following CAT scan

By Howard B. Owens

Jeffrey L. Deats, the Batavia resident charged with the death of 6-month-old Chandler Zuchs, is showing no brain activity, according to a letter from District Attorney Lawrence Friedman asking that Deats be released from custody on his own recognizance.

The letter was filed with City Court this morning.

Friedman states that Bill Zipfel, superintendent of the Genesee County Jail, informed him that a doctor at ECMC contacted the jail following a CAT scan on Deats and found there is no brain activity in the patient.

Deats is not expected to survive.

"Zipfel also told me that guarding the defendant 24/7 is creating a terrible burden on his staff and he requested that they be relieved of their duty and the defendant be released on his own recognizance," Friedman wrote.

A felony hearing scheduled for this morning in City Court was cancelled.

Deats was arrested Wednesday following an investigation into the death the previous weekend of Baby Chandler.

Over the weekend, Deats was found hanging in his cell by bedsheets. CPR was performed and he was taken to UMMC and later transfered to ECMC.

For previous coverage of the case, click here.

Randa Williams

Being that this is the second hanging at the County Jail, perhaps someone in authority should review the screening process for those on suicide watch. Providing both of the two inmates who met this fate seems a little odd since they both seemed high risk even to the untrained eye. They may as well been provided with a rope, so perhaps the rules for screening could use some reevaluating.

Dec 24, 2014, 12:19pm Permalink
Jim Urtel Jr

It looks to me like he gave himself his day in court. He would not have hung himself if he was innocent! The only shame is that the poor kid is dead and he should have had a shot at life.

Dec 24, 2014, 1:07pm Permalink
Gary Spencer

Jim,
He may have hung himself even if he were innocent, facing prison time for the death of a child, he knew what he was in for, I'm not saying he was innocent, but the whole damn story is sad for all involved!!

Dec 24, 2014, 1:24pm Permalink
Rich Richmond

I agree that this is a sad case for all involved and especially for the innocent child.

I’ve done one-on-one suicide watches. The County does not have the financial resources the State of New York does.

I will not second guess the Sheriff’s screening process given the vast amount of people who go through there; most don’t attempt suicide; screened or otherwise.

If an individual truly wants to commit suicide he or she can do so naked in an empty room including during a one-on-one suicide watch.

Dec 24, 2014, 3:04pm Permalink
Jack Dorf

I feel for the mothers loss but would still like to know why she knowingly let him believe he was the father. Calling him a dead beat dad. One minute telling him he was the father and then saying he wasn't. This is what he said. In know way do I excuse what he did if intentional but it is very likely he would not have been taking care of that baby if he knew he was not the father and they both would be alive today. She got some splanen to do. Jmo

Dec 24, 2014, 3:11pm Permalink
Ed Glow

Why can't video cameras be mounted outside the cells with a monitor in the dispatch office?

Like Richard said, if they've flat out decided to commit suicide they'll find a way to do it... and I'd have to think the most opportune time for one to do it would be immediately after a routine check. Constant video surveillance would eliminate those time gaps between the routine checks.

I'm guessing there has to be a privacy issue or some infringement on a guest at the county jail's rights since that idea certainly didn't take a rocket scientist to come up with and I don't think the price tag would be very high.

Dec 24, 2014, 4:31pm Permalink
Gary Spencer

There are video cameras in the jail, regular rounds are made, as has been said, if somebody wants to commit suicide, it ain't hard.........
There seems to be a lot of blame to go around, but in the end it is little Chandler who suffered and paid the ultimate price........so sad, so very VERY SAD......

Dec 24, 2014, 6:17pm Permalink
Lorna Klotzbach

Is no one grieving tonight for the loss of Jeffery Deats, 28 years old, with no brain activity? Now, two families are filled with sorrow on Christmas Eve. This is the day that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ-- God, Himself, willing to become flesh and to live among us.

Chandler's mother and father both carried the image of God. If they had realized that fact, and been aware of their awesome gift of being able to join with God in creating a new life, then maybe this double sorrow would have been avoided!

May God, in His wisdom and love, make good come of this horrible thing. May He bless both Chandler's mother and father within the messes they have made. May He embrace baby Chandler in heaven for eternity.

Dec 24, 2014, 11:12pm Permalink
Jim Urtel Jr

Any God that justifies the murder of an innocent baby or forgives it`s murderer is no God I would want to follow! Sorry but all this holier than thou forgiveness crap is a joke!

Dec 25, 2014, 1:04pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Sorry Jim but God doesn't work that way, He gave us the gift of free will. However what he does not do is intervene or shield us for the consequences of those choices. Remember God isn't telling us to forgive, these are people interpreting his will.

As was pointed out, there is a bit of God in all of us. So he knows the how and why for every single one of us. Brushing us all in a generalized stroke is just as bad as telling us who is good and who isnt. After all life isn't black and white theres many many shades in between.

Dec 25, 2014, 1:10pm Permalink

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