Woman Inmate Dies In Bradford County Jail
21-Year-Old Arrested June 28 On Child Abuse Charge
POSTED: Friday, July 3, 2009
UPDATED: 2:22 pm EDT July 3,
2009
A 21-year-old prisoner found unresponsive in her bed at the Bradford County Jail at 6 a.m. Friday was pronounced dead by paramedics, according to Capt. Brad Smith of the Bradford County Sheriff's Office.
Officers identify the woman as Tia Marie Sloama Ritch, who most recently lived on Davis Street in Starke.
Ritch was arrested on June 28 by the Starke Police Department on a charge of child neglect.
While being booked into the jail, Ritch told police she was taking prenatal vitamins and thought she may be about six weeks pregnant.
The on-duty nurse advised a pregnancy test would be conducted around the 8-week-period.
Investigators said the Ritch complained of some dizziness and a stomach ache. The on-call nurse was contacted.
After reviewing the situation, it was determined that isolation in a medical cell, increased fluids and hourly checks on the woman would suffice. Smith said correctional officers documented that Ritch was heard snoring during checks overnight.
Ritch was found unresponsive when deputies tried to serve breakfast.
At this time, detectives with the Bradford County Sheriff's office are investigating the incident, but do not suspect foul play.
The sheriff's office asked FDLE to conduct an independent investigation and the medical examiner will be conducting an autopsy.
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