An independent investigation has determined that an inmate in the Ozaukee County Jail accidentally overdosed, causing his death while in custody last June. The investigation was conducted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Chief Medical Examiner for Milwaukee County.
Nelson Javier Torres Morales was taken into custody following a traffic stop by the Mequon Police Department on May 30th last year, and was in custody for about 42 hours before his death the morning of June 1st. He’d been initially arrested on an outstanding theft warrant and had added drug, paraphernalia and bail jumping charges added after the traffic stop.
The report indicates that Torres Morales reported experiencing symptoms of opioid withdrawal when booked and medical staff placed him on a withdrawal protocol, which included routine monitoring of his vital signs, medical assessments, prescribed meds and regular hydration.
Jail staff checked on Torres Morales at 1:30 a.m. on June 1st with no signs of distress noted, but by 2:30 he was found unresponsive. A review of security camera recordings of his cell showed no obvious suspicious behavior or substances, however an autopsy found not only cardiovascular disease and COPD, but also showed that Torres Morales had managed to take a lethal combination of fentanyl and heroin.
Ozaukee County District Attorney Benjamin Lindsay reviewed the report and found no evidence of negligence or wrongdoing on the part of Ozaukee County Sheriff’s staff.
Comments