ANAHUAC, Texas — The Texas Rangers are investigating after a Chambers County inmate died after being found in distress on Wednesday.
Dontriel Javon Coates, 37, was booked into the Chambers County Jail at about 11 a.m. Wednesday for revocation of probation on two felony warrants according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
Coates was pronounced dead at Bayside Community Hospital in Anahuac just over eight hours after he was booked into the jail, according to the release.
At about 2:20 p.m. Coates, who was awaiting arraignment, spoke to a jail administrator about why he was not allowed bond the release said.
He remained within sight and sound of jail staff all day and, at 4:34 p.m., was showing no signs of any distress the release said.
Shortly after staff then noticed him sweating profusely while in an "odd position" the release said.
Jail medical staff and EMS were then notified.
Coates was taken by ambulance to Bayside Community Hospital just after 5 p.m. where emergency room staff worked on him for two hours before he was pronounced dead at 7:19 p.m. the release said.
Chambers County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Judge David Hatfield requested an inquest and the Texas Rangers were notified of the death.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Dontriel Coates at this most difficult time," Sheriff Brian Hawthorne was quoted as saying n the release.
From a Chambers County Sheriff's Office news release...
Sheriff Brian Hawthorne reports that on July 14 at 11:00 a.m. Dontriel Javon Coates, 37, was booked into the Chambers County Jail for two Motion to Revoke Probation felony warrants.
Mr. Coates was placed in a holding cell to await arraignment. At approximately 2:20 p.m. he requested to speak to the Jail Administrator because he wanted an explanation of why he was not allowed bond.
Mr. Coates was told that he was being held on a no-bond warrant. He thanked the Jail Administrator for listening to him and was returned to the holding cell without incident.
Mr. Coates remained within sight and sound of Jail staff throughout the day.
During a routine check that was performed at approximately 4:34 p.m. Mr. Coates showed no signs of distress; four minutes later, Jail staff noted Mr. Coates in an odd position and sweating profusely and took immediate action by directing Jail medical staff and EMS be notified.
Mr. Coates was transported by ambulance to Bayside Community Hospital shortly after 5:00 p.m. where the Bayside emergency medical team performed lifesaving measures for over two hours, but sadly, Mr. Coates was pronounced dead at 7:19 p.m.
Chambers County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Judge David Hatfield has ordered an inquest and as is standard for all in custody deaths, Sheriff Hawthorne contacted the Department of Public Safety’s Texas Rangers to conduct the investigation.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Dontriel Coates at this most difficult time”, said Sheriff Hawthorne.