Harris County Inmate Dies In Custody Of Apparent Suicide

HOUSTON — A Harris County Jail inmate who was being held on a couple of misdemeanor charges was found hanging in a general population cell on Monday morning.

Tracy Whited, 42, was found hanging by a bed sheet attached to her bunk, by a fellow inmate who alerted detention officers. Detention officers cut Whited down and began CPR on her while EMS was on the way.

She was breathing when EMS arrived and took her to Ben Taub Hospital, but she never regained consciousness and died on Wednesday, officials said.

Whited, who had no criminal history, was arrested on a misdemeanor criminal mischief charge on Jan. 12, after a fight with her boyfriend, officials said

Another misdemeanor escape charge was filed against her later that day when she tried to walk out of the jail booking facility, police said.

Whited underwent the standard health screening protocol while she was being processed into the jail, which included meeting with a nurse.

Officials said Whited denied having thoughts of harming herself.

She was placed in a general population cell, which holds about 48 inmates. Whited didn't have a criminal history prior to her misdemeanor arrest, officials said

The Texas Rangers are investigating Whited's death.

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