Dalton Man With Diabetes Faces Vision Loss in Jail as ICE Hold Nears

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A Dalton man suffering from Type 1 diabetes reportedly lost vision in one eye while in county jail custody, as his family raises concerns over inadequate medical care. With a hold from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) looming, the case has sparked renewed scrutiny over the treatment of detainees with chronic medical conditions in local detention facilities.

Carlos Salazar was initially stopped by deputies in Georgia for traffic violations, including allegedly driving on a suspended license and providing a false name. Though briefly released after the stop, Salazar was later re-arrested and charged with multiple misdemeanor offenses. During his detention, Salazar, who requires daily insulin and monitoring for Type 1 diabetes, allegedly did not receive consistent medical care, leading to unstable blood sugar levels and, according to his family, the eventual loss of sight in one eye.

According to Yvette Hurtado, a family spokesperson, “He is no longer using his glucose monitor or receiving his previous standard of care, and his blood sugars are frequently out of control.” Salazar’s condition, which requires strict daily medical attention and a regulated diet, allegedly worsened significantly during his detention. Family members claim their repeated concerns were either dismissed or minimized by jail staff.

The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office maintains that Salazar received appropriate medical care while in custody. Captain Wesley Lynch stated that Salazar was evaluated by jail medical personnel four times within 15 days and was referred to an outside eye specialist. Due to federal privacy laws, specifics about his treatment were not disclosed. “This delay isn’t a reflection of unkindness from our staff; it reflects the broader limitations of our medical system,” Lynch said, noting that even civilians experience delays in specialist appointments.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that complications from uncontrolled diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy, can result in vision damage due to weakened blood vessels in the retina. While jail officials suggest such damage is likely the result of long-term issues rather than recent neglect, the family disputes this timeline, insisting that Salazar’s health declined rapidly after incarceration.

Because Whitfield County participates in ICE’s 287(g) immigration enforcement program, Salazar is now subject to a 48-hour hold following resolution of his local charges. Although a judge lowered his bond to $1, his expected release will likely be followed by transfer to federal custody.

Salazar’s family has begun raising funds to cover mounting legal expenses as they prepare for the next phase of his immigration case. In the meantime, they continue to voice concern over what they view as a systemic failure to protect the health and rights of detainees dealing with serious medical conditions.