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Indiana Sheriff Fighting Ex-Inmate's $1.8M IU Health Hospital Bill

An Indiana sheriff says he'll fight a $1.8 million bill for a former jail inmate's hospital stay.

IU Health is demanding payment for the Delaware County Jail inmate's 4 month hospital stay.

IU health says the man was diagnosed with septic shock and was intubated because of respiratory distress. The man was taken to Muncie's Ball Memorial Hospital in July 2016 four days after he was arrested for stealing nearly $3,800 worth of sunglasses.

Sheriff Ray Dudley says the county isn't responsible for medical bills following a judge's order releasing the man from custody two days after he went to the hospital.

IU Health's letter says the action likely violates a state law preventing an inmate's release to avoid financial responsibility for medical care.