DINWIDDIE, Va. – Seven Virginia sheriff’s deputies have been charged with second-degree murder in connection to the death of a 28-year-old man at a state mental hospital earlier this month, a local prosecutor announced Tuesday.

Henrico County Sheriff’s Office personnel took the victim, Irvo Otieno, to Central State Hospital on March 6 to admit him as a patient, according to the prosecutor, Dinwiddie County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill. Otieno, who was physically restrained, died during the intake process, Baskervill added.

“Mr. Otieno’s family was notified by my office this morning of these charges and I will continue to work with and for his family in relation to pursuing this case to its fullest extent,” Baskervill said.

Virginia State Police is leading the criminal investigation of the case, state police spokesperson Corinne Geller said. No other details of the investigation or the circumstances surrounding Otieno’s death have been released.

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Concerns raised over treatment

Otieno’s family has previously raised concerns about his treatment, with his mother telling the Richmond Times-Dispatch that “something went wrong” while he was in the government’s custody.

“The family is grief-stricken after learning of the brutal nature of Ivor’s death and his inhumane treatment in the hours preceding his death. The public, and experienced mental health professionals alike, will be appalled when the facts of this case are fully disclosed,” Mark Krudys, an attorney for the family, said in a statement, spelling Otieno’s first name as he said the family refers to him.