An Alachua County Jail inmate is in critical condition after he attempted to commit suicide in his cell early Sunday morning.
In a social media post, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office stated that a detention officer was conducting a routine check of the jail at approximately 1:30 a.m. when an inmate, identified as Kellum West, was found hanging from a bed sheet. According to the sheriff’s office, West had tied a noose and attached it to a vent in the ceiling.
Jail staff immediately requested assistance and entered West’s cell, where they quickly removed him from a hanging position and brought him to the floor. They immediately began performing CPR while waiting for the arrival of paramedics.
Alachua County Fire Rescue paramedics arrived at the jail and continued the life saving efforts that were being performed by the jail staff. West was then transported to a local hospital where he currently remains in critical condition.
Detectives from the ACSO Criminal Investigations Division and investigators from the Office of Professional Standards arrived at the jail to investigate the incident. According to the sheriff’s office, an inspection of West’s cell revealed several writings that appeared to be authored by West and indicated his desire to take his own life.
ACSO stated that West was the only occupant of his cell, which was housed without a mental health pod.
“This investigation is still very early and on-going, but the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office is working with both the family of West, as well as hospital social workers to assist them in this difficult time of need,” stated the sheriff’s office on its Facebook page.