Jail inmate in critical condition after suicide attempt
Press release from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – At approximately 1:30 a.m. this morning, a Detention Officer with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office was conducting a routine check within Pod 3E when it was noticed that inmate Kellum West was hanging from a bed sheet that he had tied to a vent in the ceiling. Jail staff immediately requested assistance and entered West’s cell, where he was removed from a hanging position and brought to the floor. Jail staff began efforts to save West’s life by performing CPR and requesting emergency medical services.
Alachua County Fire Rescue Paramedics continued the life-saving efforts that had been initiated by jail staff before West was transported to a local hospital, where he currently remains in critical condition.
Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies responded and immediately secured the scene while awaiting the arrival of Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division and Investigators from the Office of Professional Standards. The initial inspection of West’s cell yielded several writings that appear to have been authored by West and relate to his desire to take his own life. It should be noted that West was the only occupant of his cell and that he was housed within a mental health pod.
This investigation is still very early and ongoing, but the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office is working with West’s family and hospital social workers to assist them in this difficult time of need.
Sheriff Watson offers his concern and deep prayer to the family of Kellum West as they continue to work with medical providers who are caring for West.
Please note that all information contained within this briefing is preliminary and based upon the facts as we know them at this time. All information in this release is subject to change as additional information is learned.
https://alachuachronicle.com/homeless-man-arrested-after-report-that-he-was-brandishing-a-knife-near-the-university/
Had he been checked on every 15 minutes he may not have ended up in the shape he was in. On the mental health Pod, they are supposed to be checked every 15 minutes. They also should be receiving medical attention such as medications for mental health issues when in that Pod. They do not receive the
prescribed medications they would normally take when not in jail. I know this first hand. The Mental Health Pod does not take proper care of those inmates. It is a very sad situation and it is WRONG!
Where is his family? The Officers at jail do the best they can. Sad situation, medications could have also contributed to his MH.
I would think that releasing the guys name is a huge HIPAA violation. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge. This guy has some serious Mental Health issues and now everyone knows, including the details of his attempted suicide!
Lord He needs a deliverance Moment in his Life, that only U can bring, to A disturbed& distorted Life..I Pray 🙏🙏 he receives help.