JASPER, Texas — The Texas Rangers are investigating after an inmate died in the Jasper City Jail.
The inmate, who was from Tyler County, was found unresponsive in a detox cell Jan. 30 about 8:45 a.m. The inmate, who has been identified as 28-year-old Steven Mitchell Qualls, of Colmesneil, was the only person in the cell at the time, Jasper Police Department said in a news release.
Qualls had been booked into the jail after being charged with public intoxication when he refused to leave Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital after being discharged Jan. 28.
Emergency personnel responded to the jail, but found the inmate to have no vital signs, Jasper Police said.
Qualls was pronounced deceased by Justice of the Peace Jimmy Miller.
The cause of the inmate's death was still unknown as of about noon on Jan. 30, but officials ordered an autopsy, which will be conducted by the Jefferson County Medical Examiner and Coroner’s Office.
Jasper County Precinct Justice of the Peace Jimmy Miller told 12News on Feb. 4 the cause of death is not listed on Quall's preliminary autopsy results from the Jefferson County forensics office.
Miller said the cause of death is pending toxicology and chemistry. He said he is not sure how long that process will take.
Jasper Police said the Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers will be providing further updates.
This is a developing story. 12News will update with more if and when we receive confirmed information.
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