East County San Diego nurse pleads not guilty in inmate death at Las Colinas

Registered Nurse Danalee Pascua answered to the charge of involuntary manslaughter before a judge inside an El Cajon courtroom Friday. Danalee Pascua, 36, is charged in connection with the Nov. 11, 2019, death of Elisa Serna and faces up to four years in prison if convicted. Pascua, who was supported by 46 people in attendance at the El Cajon courthouse, will remain out of custody until her next court date in February but must adhere to release conditions imposed by San Diego Superior Court Judge Michelle Ialeggio that include prohibitions against caring for patients. In a March 2020 news release regarding Serna's death, the sheriff's department said she died at Las Colinas Detention Facility from complications of drug abuse, with a contributing factor of early intrauterine pregnancy. According to the DA's Office, Serna was moved to a medical isolation cell at the jail after reporting she was dizzy and nauseous. Serna later fell in the defendant's presence, at which point prosecutors allege Pascua did not take Serna's vitals and did not move her. Instead, Pascua allegedly left Serna on the ground in the cell until about an hour later, when she and deputies returned to begin "futile lifesaving measures." Full story at CBS8.com: https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/cri...