By Martín Bilbao
The Olympian (Olympia, Wash.)
OLYMPIA, Wash. — An Olympia woman held in the Thurston County jail is in critical condition following an Aug. 13 medical emergency, and a jail nurse has been fired, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday in a news release.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office has asked the Mason County Sheriff’s Office to independently investigate the circumstances surrounding the woman’s care and medical emergency at the county jail, the news release said.
“Protecting the health and well-being of those in our custody is a paramount duty of all corrections staff,” the release states. “We take this incident seriously and are committed to ensuring the circumstances surrounding it are thoroughly and independently reviewed.”
Law enforcement booked the 29-year-old woman into the county jail on an outstanding warrant on Aug. 10 . Medical staff initially attributed her symptoms to “narcotics withdrawal,” according to the release. However, the woman’s condition reportedly deteriorated over the next three days. On Aug. 13 , authorities transported her to a local hospital for treatment and she was later transferred to another medical facility for a “higher level of care,” the release said.
“At this time, she remains in critical condition,” the release states.
Following the incident, the jail’s contracted medical provider fired the nurse who cared for the woman, according to the release.
The Sheriff’s Office did not provide a specific reason for the nurse’s termination. In their release, the agency said it would not provide additional information at this time.
“The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office will fully cooperate with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office in this investigation,” the release states.
When asked to elaborate on the medical emergency the woman suffered, TCSO spokesperson Lt. Cameron Simper told The Olympian Wednesday that he could not share personal medical information. Asked which company provides medical services for the jail, Simper said he would get back to The Olympian with information about the contractor.
Prosecutors charged the woman with second-degree assault and third-degree malicious mischief on March 19 , court records show. The charges stem from a March 17 incident in which the woman allegedly stabbed a person and broke a window at a home in Eastside Olympia, according to court records.
Officers learned about the incident after her partner took her to a local hospital and called 911 from the parking lot to report that she was having a mental health crisis.
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Allyson Zipp set bail at $10,000 during a March 18 preliminary hearing, and she later posted bail. She pleaded not guilty to the charges at a March 24 arraignment hearing.
Since then, the woman has been in and out of jail for allegedly failing to appear at her required court hearings. Her last warrant was issued on Aug. 6 , and she was arrested on Aug. 10 .
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