A 55-year-old Auburn man who had a medical emergency Aug. 24 while in custody at the King County jail in Kent, died Aug. 26 at Valley Medical Center in Renton.
Ronald Smail was booked into the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle Aug. 21, and transferred to the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent the following day, according to a county Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention media release.
Smail had a medical emergency at about 2:41 a.m. Aug. 24. Jail staff initiated life-saving measures and contacted Medic One. The unit arrived at 2:58 a.m. and medical personnel continued response efforts while transporting Smail to Valley Medical Center.
Upper Kittitas County District Court later notified the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention that charges against the inmate were being dropped, so he was released from custody following the medical emergency. Smail had been held on a charge from Kittitas County in Cle Elum.
As is standard procedure, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office will investigate the cause and manner of death.
Public Health – Seattle & King County is seeking permission from family members to release further details of Smail’s medical condition and history.
As part of the standard review process for jail-related deaths, the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention will work with Public Health – Seattle & King County to conduct an investigation of actions during Smail’s time in custody.
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