A 56 Year-Old Dies After 8 Days in Bell County Jail-3
When 56-year-old Thomas Rolston went through intake at Bell County Jail in Belton, Texas, on October 12, 2023, it was noted that he exhibited mental health problems and had medical issues. The custodial death report (CDR) indicates that he received treatment at the jail for the medical condition that caused his October 19, 2023, death. There are no further details that shed light on any medical treatment he may have received before the day of his death.
Recent Suicides and Other Deaths in Bell County Jail Continued
The previously mentioned detainee who died after a suicide attempt at Bell County Jail was discovered hanging in his cell by jail staff during normal observation rounds on May 5, 2021. He had used a bed sheet as a ligature and tied the other end to the top cell bar. The staff cut him down and attempted lifesaving measures until emergency medical services (EMS) arrived and took over. The detainee was transported to the emergency room at Scott & White Hospital. He was placed on life support and the decision was made by the family to remove life support. He was pronounced deceased at 11:04 PM on May 11, 2021.
Among the findings of a follow-up investigation was that the death was by hanging, and the decedent was found hanging from a bedsheet. The history is that the decedent was found hanging in an isolated jail cell. And there is also this note in the CDR: “Healing abraded furrow of anterior neck.”
It also indicates that the decedent had suicidal ideation. This suggests that heightened suicide prevention measures would have been an appropriate protocol.
Organ donation was made prior to the autopsy.
Learn more in Part 1 and Part 2 of this continuing series.
One of this website’s purposes is to provide helpful resources to benefit Texas county and municipal jail detainees and their families. Implying that an individual or entity has engaged in wrongdoing is never intended.
–Guest Contributor
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