Baynes v. Cleland, No. 14-2235 (6th Cir. 2015)
Annotate this CasePolice received a report of a passenger repeatedly striking a female driver on 1-94, with a license plate number. Officers initiated a traffic stop, handcuffed passenger Baynes, and placed him in the patrol vehicle, without incident. The officer claims that he checked the handcuffs to ensure they were not too tight. The driver, Baynes’ girlfriend, eventually admitted that Baynes had hit her. The officers observed a long bruise on her right arm and transported Baynes seven miles to the Macomb County Jail. The time it took is unclear. Baynes testified that he complained that the handcuffs were too tight. Following his release Baynes was diagnosed with “bilateral radial sensory neuropathy from handcuffs.” The deputies acknowledged knowing that right handcuffs could cause nerve damage. Baynes testified that he takes 15 medications for other issues, that told the intake officer that he needed medication, and that he told people he was having difficulty breathing. Baynes later learned that there was mold in the jail. Baynes claimed that his “condition worsened,” after his jail stay. Baynes submitted blood tests, showing abnormal levels of mold. The court dismissed his suit under 42 U.S.C. 1983. The Sixth Circuit reversed in part. The officers are not entitled to qualified immunity for Baynes’ claim of excessive force. Baynes’ claim of deliberate indifference to a serious medical need was insufficient to withstand summary judgment.
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.