Pinellas Officials Investigating Death of Inmate

TBO.com Staff

A 50-year-old inmate who was in the medical building at the Pinellas County Jail died this morning, and authorities have launched an investigation to try to determine how.

Jennifer S. DeGraw, of 3530 51st Ave. N., was unresponsive when jail staff checked in on her in her cell in the medical building at about 6:30 a.m., sheriff's officials said. DeGraw had been placed in the medical building because of a undisclosed pre-existing medical condition, they said.

She was then transported to Northside Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 7:44 a.m., authorities said.

DeGraw was booked into the jail on March 16, on a charge of battery on a law enforcement officer.

Detectives say the inmate's death does not appear suspicious; however an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.