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Female inmate, 68, dies at Alachua County Jail

Alachua County Jail
Alachua County Jail
Photo courtesy ASO
Key Points

A 68-year-old female inmate died late Sunday evening at the Alachua County Jail after she was found unresponsive in her bed.

According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) release, staff contacted the Combined Communications Center at 11:15 p.m. to request medical services for the inmate, Shirley Williams, who was found unresponsive in her bed while inside the infirmary.

It was reported that the medical staff was tending to Williams while detention personnel made the call for assistance. Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR) personnel arrived at 11:22 and took over life-saving efforts.

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The paramedics ceased life-saving efforts at 11:50 p.m. and informed ACSO deputies that Williams had died.

The ACSO Criminal Investigations Division was called to the scene, a standard procedure for a death that occurs in the jail, that will coincide with an internal investigation run by the Office of Professional Standards.

The initial information received revealed the identity of the person in custody, who was housed in the infirmary, where she was under observation with medical staff on site. Detention staff checked on Williams every 15 minutes, as required by policy and verified by the camera system inside the jail.

During one of the checks, a detention officer found that Williams did not appear to be breathing. The officer activated a “Code Blue,” started CPR and summoned assistance from medical staff.

Additional information will be released as the investigation finds additional facts, according to the release.

“Sheriff Scott and our entire Alachua County Sheriff’s Office staff extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Ms. Williams as they grieve her loss,” the release stated.

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