On December 16, 2022, at approximately 2:30 p.m., a Lake County Corrections Officer was conducting routine rounds in the jail’s medical pod.  The correctional officer observed a 24-year-old female inmate, of Grand Prairie, Texas, on the bed of the cell with her eyes closed.  The correctional officer noticed the inmate’s chest was not rising and immediately opened the cell’s door and found the inmate unresponsive and without a pulse.  The corrections officer initiated a medical emergency response and summoned an ambulance.

Correctional officers performed CPR and utilized and Automated External Defibrillator (AED), on the inmate until paramedics arrived.  The inmate was transported to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan, where she was subsequently pronounced deceased.  

The inmate was in custody since July 1, 2022 on the charges of aggravated battery to a child.  The inmate was recently found unfit to stand trial and the jail was waiting for space to become available at the Illinois Department of Human Services, so she could be transferred for fitness restoration treatment.  

While awaiting transport, the inmate was assigned to a single-inmate cell pod.  The inmate’s cell door was closed and there were no other inmates in the vicinity.  Rounds were conducted at least 30 minutes prior to this incident and at that time, the inmate appeared okay.  The inmate had numerous underlying health conditions. There did not appear to be any suspicious marks or injuries on the inmate’s body, however, an autopsy will be conducted by the Lake County Coroner’s Office on Monday.

Per protocol, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force to conduct an independent investigation.