According to a press release from the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, early Sunday morning, just before 1 AM, the Auglaize County Correctional Center Staff was performing a routine head count when they found an unresponsive inmate.
Life saving measures were immediately performed by the Corrections staff.
Auglaize County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to assist as well as Wapakoneta EMS.
Wapakoneta EMS transported the inmate to St. Rita’s Medical Center.
St. Rita’s was unable to revive the inmate and he was pronounced deceased at 1:37 AM.
The inmate is identified as Benjamin P. Hopkins, 54, of Belle Center.
Hopkins was booked into the Auglaize County Corrections Center on October 15th on charges of felonious assault and domestic violence.
Due to the time, all inmates were on lock down in their own cells as this is normal procedure.
State of Ohio does require head counts to be performed 1 time every hour on inmates however the Auglaize County Corrections Center performs these head counts twice every hour.
No foul play is suspected and the investigation is still pending with the assistance of the Allen County Coroners Office.
