In 2012, a US student was forgotten in a DEA cell for five days without food or water; he drank his own urine to survive, and the government later paid him $4.1 million in a settlement

Global Health Wed, 04 Nov 2026 12:41:03 GMT Moderate confidence — 73/100

Image: APA 23-year-old university student in the US was left inside a windowless Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) holding cell for nearly five days after agents decided he would not be charged in a drug investigation.
With no food, drinking water or access to a toilet, he was forced to drink his own urine in a desperate attempt to stay alive.
As his condition deteriorated, he screamed for help, tried to attract attention and eventually carved the words “Sorry Mom” into his arm.

Image: APA 23-year-old university student in the US was left inside a windowless Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) holding cell for nearly five days after agents decided he would not be charged in a drug investigation.
With no food, drinking water or access to a toilet, he was forced to drink his own urine in a desperate attempt to stay alive.
As his condition deteriorated, he screamed for help, tried to attract attention and eventually carved the words “Sorry Mom” into his arm.

Sources: Times of India