Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

At approximately 2 p.m. on Thursday, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office corrections deputies and the jail’s registered nurse responded to a male inmate who appeared to be in medical distress, according to WPSO Chief Criminal Deputy Mike Haley.

Haley said that the inmate was removed from the housing unit, provided on-site medical care and transported to Riverside Medical Center by Northshore EMS personnel. He died while at the hospital. The body is now in the custody of the Washington Parish Coroner’s Office.

Haley said that WPSO investigators, along with investigators from the Louisiana State Police, were sent to the scene to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the inmate’s death. Haley noted that the preliminary investigation indicates that the deceased inmate, along with other inmates, possibly ingested a toxic substance. The other inmates have been medically cleared.

Due to the necessity to maintain the integrity of the investigation, no names or further details can be released at this time, Haley said, adding that the deceased inmate’s family has been notified.