Uvalde County Inmate Ernesto Amaro Dies in Under a Day

Ernesto Alonzo Amaro, 44, was arrested and booked into Uvalde County Jail at 10:23 p.m. on August 12, 2025. Tragically, he was declared deceased fewer than 21 hours later. The Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Amaro on August 14, 2025. The report shows that Mr. Amaro did not appear intoxicated on alcohol or drugs during the intake process, nor did he exhibit any mental or medical health problems. His cause of death is pending autopsy results.

The CDR’s summary of how Mr. Amaro’s death occurred provides pertinent details about what happened, more so than the typical jail death report in Texas, as follows:

The Uvalde Police Department arrested Ernesto Alonzo Amaro on August 12 on a drug charge and for unlawful possession of a firearm.
Mr. Amaro was searched by jail staff in the sally port of Uvalde County Jail. During the pat-down search, narcotics were found in his possession.
When he was escorted to the jail change-out cell, where he was strip-searched, Mr. Amaro was found to have additional narcotics in his possession.
Mr. Amaro was processed, booked, and placed in a holding cell.
During the night and into the morning, Mr. Amaro was observed in the holding cell moving around and eating breakfast.
At 8:43 a.m. on August 13, a Booking Officer opened the cell door to escort Mr. Amaro for magistration, that is, to be brought before a magistrate. Mr. Amaro attempted to stand up but lay back down instead. Medical staff were summoned, and upon arrival at the cell, they immediately began medical procedures, which included placement of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
A Narcan nasal spray was administered to Mr. Amaro immediately, as well.
Emergency medical services (EMS) had been requested, and after their arrival, they transported Mr. Amaro by ambulance to Uvalde Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted.
Ernesto Alonzo Amaro was declared deceased at 7:12 p.m. on April 23, 2025, by hospital medical staff.
Notifications about Mr. Amaro’s death were made to the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office, the Uvalde County Justice of the Peace, the Uvalde Police Department Investigations Unit, the Texas Ranger, and the next of kin.
An autopsy was ordered.

Uvalde County Jail has a 144-bed capacity. The jail’s address is 339 King Fisher Lane, Uvalde, TX 78801.

Facing the Loss of a Loved One in a Potential Jail Neglect Case?

Research indicates that a large majority of individuals in city and county jails who live with chronic health issues do not receive proper medical treatment—a serious and unacceptable reality. If your loved one died in custody because of inadequate medical care or other forms of mistreatment, the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. may be able to help you seek justice.

Our team has substantial experience handling cases involving medical neglect, wrongful in-custody deaths, and jail suicides. We continue to gain an understanding of the depth of emotional struggle involved in jail death cases as we help families to pursue justice and accountability.

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