Advertisement

Hernando jail evacuated after inmate, deputy become sick

 
.
.
Published May 9, 2018

BROOKSVILLE — Forty inmates at the Hernando County Detention Center were temporarily removed from their housing unit Tuesday after an inmate and deputy became sick, according to the Sheriff's Office.

An inmate, incarcerated for 22 days, told deputies he felt sick and was transferred to the center's medical unit. He said he had just smoked an illegal substance inside the facility, deputies said, and told staff members another inmate gave him the substance. Deputies searched his cell for contraband.

A deputy located two suspicious items, and while collecting them, also became sick, according to the Sheriff's Office. After he fell ill, the unit was evacuated.

Hernando County Fire Rescue took the deputy to a local hospital for medical treatment. The inmate and deputy were feeling better by Wednesday, deputies said.

The substance was identified as an illegal narcotic, according to a test by the Hernando County Fire Rescue Hazardous Materials Team.

The incident remained under investigation Wednesday.

Times staff