Negligence In Death Of Son Prompted Mother To Sue Darlington County Sheriff

Jessica Peavy alleges that Sheriff James Hudson Jr. was negligent in the shooting death of Caleb James.

The mother of an 18-year-old who was killed in a shooting in May of 2021, has filed a lawsuit against Darlington County Sheriff James Hudson Jr..

Jessica Peavy alleges that Hudson was negligent in the shooting death of Caleb James.

Deputies responded to the incident in the 2900 block of White Sands Circle in Hartsville after Jennifer Jimenez reported her daughter’s boyfriend had shot himself.

The daughter, Cassandra Escobar told deputies that Caleb was playing with his gun and accidentally shot himself. No arrests were made and the death was filed as a self-inflicted gunshot.

The coroner was skeptical of Escobar’s story and decided to open an investigation.

Deputy Coroner Todd Hardee revealed that Escobar had sent threats to Caleb through messages and Hardee was able to get a statement from Escobar where she admitted to shooting Caleb after confronting her with a polygraph.

Escobar was then arrested and charged with manslaughter.

Hudson admitted to Peavy that he failed to follow basic protocols into Caleb’s death. Peavy is now suing for negligence as well as emotional distress.