
'I don't want to die': Police bodycam footage shows mother pleading with cops hours before she's found dead
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Newly released bodycam footage reveals a mother found dead in her jail cell, last month. She was shown telling officers she feared for her life before being jailed.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
8/13/2015 (9 years ago)
Published in U.S.
Keywords: mother, jail, prison, bars, Cleveland Heights Jail, medication, cataleptic, unconscious, police
MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Ralkina Jones, 37, was found dead in Cleveland Heights Jail on July 26, immediately after being arrested for reportedly assaulting her abusive ex-husband. In released footage by Cleveland Heights Police, Jones can be seen talking to cops and pleading, "I don't want to die," about 15 hours before she was found lifeless.
Jones, who has an 11-year-old daughter, said to one of the officers in the jail, "I'm not asking for any exception to any rule, but I will tell you this. I don't want to die in your jail cell."
Jones can also be heard informing police officers about a variety of medical conditions she suffered from and medication she had to take. She explained that she was being treated for seizures, ADHD and depression, and that she had previously suffered a brain injury at the hands of her ex-husband.
According to Cleveland.com, Jones was given a full health check by officers before being placed in her cell and officers checked on her throughout the night.
However, at 7:35 AM, Jones was found cataleptic in her cell and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jones' sister, Renee Ashford, 31, stated that she hopes her sister's death will encourage police to change their policy regarding prisoners who need medication while in jail, explaining they are "vulnerable" and need extra care.
In a previous statement, released at the time of Jones' death, the police department stated, "Our thoughts are with Ms. Jones' loved ones at this time of loss."
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