HOUSTON – Another inmate has died at the Harris County Jail after suffering a “medical emergency” inside a medical ward of the jail Monday, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Today (10/23/2023) Harris County Jail female inmate was confirmed deceased by medical staff. The female inmate was incarcerated at the 1200 Baker Street jail facility. Investigators are enroute. Active investigation. pic.twitter.com/kzwqBZXpfl
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) October 24, 2023
Officials said the woman, identified as 50-year-old Dominga Barrera Trevino, was being housed at the facility on Baker Street when the medical emergency happened, causing her death. According to deputies, Harris Health medical staff immediately responded and began lifesaving efforts. Trevino was pronounced dead at the clinic at around 10:32 p.m. Right now, it’s unclear exactly what caused the medical emergency.
According to HCSO, Trevino had no obvious physical injuries. She had been in jail awaiting trial since June 29.
Trevino’s death is being investigated by the Houston Police Department in accordance with state law that requires all jail deaths to be investigated by an outside law enforcement agency.
The HCSO Internal Affairs Division is also reportedly investigating to determine whether all applicable policies and procedures were followed, which authorities said is standard following the death of a person in jail. The woman’s cause of death will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
The Harris County Jail has been in the spotlight this year because of so many recent jail deaths. According to the Texas Jail Project, at least a dozen people have died in that facility so far this year.
Earlier this year, the Harris County Jail failed an inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards because inmates were not seen by medical staff within 48 hours as required.
The most recent failed inspection came in August, as state inspectors found inmates were kept in the booking process for longer than the 48-hour maximum, jailers didn’t observe inmates often enough, and the jail didn’t meet staffing requirements of one jailer for every 48 inmates.
Just last month, a man died at the jail from an apparent medical emergency.
Authorities said Raymond Cooper, 62, suffered an emergency in a medical ward of the jail. CPR and lifesaving measures were administered quickly and Houston Fire Department EMS transported him to a local hospital. Cooper was pronounced dead at the hospital at approximately 5:32 a.m., HCSO said.
Deputies said Cooper had no obvious physical injuries. He had been in jail since July 15.
As Trevino’s death, KPRC 2 will continue to ask the sheriff’s office for any new information.