An investigation is underway after an inmate at the High Detention Center died after experiencing a medical episode, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials reported Wednesday.
On March 24, deputies assigned to HDDC in Adelanto were alerted to an unresponsive inmate, 52-year-old Francisco Javier Ramirez of Trona. They found him on his bed, breathing but unresponsive, the sheriff’s report stated.
Jail medical staff and emergency medical personnel responded and rendered medical aid to Ramirez. Despite lifesaving measures, he was pronounced dead a short time later, sheriff’s officials said.
Investigators with the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division responded and conducted an investigation.
Sheriff’s officials did not state whether Ramirez had previous health issues.
On April 14, 2021, Ramirez was arrested on suspicion of murder, robbery, and a felon in possession of a firearm, sheriff’s spokeswoman Mara Rodriguez told the Daily Press.
Since September, there have been several inmates with health issues who died while in custody, sheriff’s officials said.
The latest reported death was Alexander Madrid, 61, of Apple Valley who died on March 18.
On Feb. 11, Madrid suffered a health emergency and was transported from West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.
Madrid, who had been seen by jail medical staff before he was transferred to the hospital, may have had pre-existing medical conditions, authorities said.
Apple Valley Sheriff’s deputies arrested Madrid on Dec. 9, 2021, for continuous sexual abuse of a minor.
Anyone with information is asked by the Sheriff’s Department to contact Detective Michelle Del Rio, Specialized Investigations Division, at 909-387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Inmate dies after suffering medical episode, authorities report