An inmate who was found unresponsive Wednesday night at the Bexar County Jail had suffered a medical episode following self-inflicted injuries just two days after he was booked into jail.
While Pentkwoski marks the second inmate death in 2023, at least 10 inmates died over the last year in incidents involving suicide, complications of COVID-19 and even homicide.
The deaths highlight some of the problems faced by the jail, including an increase in inmates with serious illness and that staff must still maintain COVID-19 spacing to prevent further spread of the virus within the detention center’s walls.
Christopher Pangelinan, 31, was found during a suicide attempt on Jan. 12 as a deputy was conducting regular cell checks, according to KENS 5. He was pronounced dead after the deputy attempted life-saving measures. His death was the first of 2023.
Derrick Ellison, 47, died at University Hospital on Dec. 5, 2022, hours after he was having difficulty breathing in his cell, according to KSAT 12. He had been in jail since his arrest on June 25, 2022, for criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor.
Juan Carlos Guerrero, 44, was found on Nov. 4, 2022, attempting to kill himself, authorities said. A deputy attempted life-saving measures, and Guerrero was then taken to Baptist Medical Center downtown, where he was placed on life support and died. He had been booked on Oct. 4 on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
James Whitehead, 65, suffered a medical episode on Oct. 31, 2022, exacerbated by preexisting medical conditions, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. He had been booked on Aug. 21, 2022, for a violation of the sex offender registration, a third-degree felony.
Rogelio Hernandez, 67, is believed to have experienced a medical episode in his cell on Sept. 22, 2022, according to the sheriff’s office. He had been in the jail since Sept. 17, 2022, on a misdemeanor theft charge.
Rebecca Vasquez, 30, was found by a deputy attempting to kill herself on Aug. 29, 2022, and rushed to Baptist Medical Center downtown. She died on Sept. 7.
Emmitt Earl Byrd, 44, was found dead in his cell on April 21, 2022. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office said he hung himself. Medical staff attempted to revive Byrd until he was pronounced dead about 20 minutes later.
Daniel Maldonado, 31, died Feb. 15, 2022, at University Hospital. He had been taken to the jail’s infirmary after complaining of chest pains and was diagnosed with pulmonary illness on Feb. 9, officials said. He had been in the jail since Jan. 10, 2022, on drug charges.
Vincent Garcia, 40, was killed on Jan. 30, 2022, when he was stabbed during a struggle with two inmates who had forced their way out of their cell, according to the sheriff’s office. Garcia had been in jail since Aug. 6, 2021, on charges of aggravated robbery and assault causing bodily injury in Medina County.
Vanessa Estrada, 29, tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 24, 2022. She was taken to the hospital where her condition worsened until she died five days later, authorities said. Estrada also had tuberculosis and was not vaccinated.
jbeltran@express-news.net