Polk County Inmate Dies In Custody

LAKELAND, FL — A 58-year-old inmate at South County Jail died Thursday after suffering what appeared to be a medical emergency. Thomas Scott Henry of Lakeland was taken to Lake Wales Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 1:13 a.m., according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

"There were no injuries and no foul play is suspected," explained a spokesperson for the sheriff's office.

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An autopsy conducted by the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office found that Henry had an enlarged heart, two preexisting stents in his coronary arteries and calcification in his coronary arteries.

Officials were awaiting the results of toxicology reports before ruling on the cause and manner of death.

"According to inmates and staff at the jail, Mr. Henry was in his bed reading a book at around 11:50 p.m. when an inmate heard him make a groaning noise," the sheriff's office said of the medical emergency that apparently began Wednesday night. "Mr. Henry fell back in his bunk and inmates rushed to help him and started CPR while others alerted detention deputies."

The sheriff's office said deputies continued CPR and alerted jail medical staff and Polk County Fire Rescue.

"Mr. Henry did not report any medical complaints since he was booked in on August 2, 2018," added the sheriff's office. Henry was arrested for possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, grand theft auto and other offenses. His criminal history includes 21 felony convictions and 14 misdemeanor convictions.

Officials said four separate investigations will be conducted into Henry's death in accordnace with Polk County policy.

The sheriff's office is responsible for a death investigation and administration investigation. The Polk County Medical Examiner is responsible for an autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death. All of the investigative findings are then reviewed by the Polk County State Attorney's Office.

Thomas Scott Henry photo courtesy Polk County Sheriff's Office