No Criminal Referral in Death of Severely Allergic Snohomish County Jail Inmate

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office investigators say they don’t believe a crime was committed in the death of a jail inmate who had severe food allergies and collapsed after eating in the jail last July, the Everett Herald reported.

Michael Saffioti, 22, of Mukilteo, died after suffering an asthma attack triggered by milk in oatmeal he was served in the jail in Everett. He had turned himself in after missing a court date related to marijuana possession.

Sheriff’s investigators have forwarded the case to the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with no criminal referral, the Herald reported. It’s up to prosecutors to decide if any charges will be filed.

Saffioti's mother, Rose Saffioti, has hired Seattle attorney Anne Bremner. Rose Saffioti said last fall: "My motivation is justice for Michael, policies changed, protocols changed, so that nobody has to go through this whether they have allergies, are diabetic or have cardiac issues."

Rose Saffioti has questioned the appropriateness of the sheriff's office investigating the death at the jail it runs, the Herald reported.