Death of Clay County inmate prompts change in housing for inmates with specific medical needs – FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. The March 2019 death of a Clay County inmate has prompted the Clay County Jail to house inmates with specific medical needs in its medical housing area, according to a statement from the Clay County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday.

The inmate, identified as Michelle Bewley, 35, died on March 5 while booked at the Clay County Jail of hypertensive heart disease brought on by chronic drug abuse and opiate withdrawal, according to an autopsy report.

The death was ruled as natural by the medical examiner.

The case was then investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is the standard when an inmate dies in Clay County.

On Tuesday, the sheriff's office announced FDLE concluded its investigation and that no deficiencies within the Clay County Jail were cited.

RELATED: Autopsy report reveals cause of death of woman who died in Clay County Jail

The full statement from the Clay County Sheriff's Office can be read below:

"On March 5, 2019, the Clay County Sheriffs Office requested Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the death of Michelle Bewley, who at the time was an inmate in the Clay County Jail.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has concluded the investigation whereas the medical examiner determined the cause of death natural; the cause being hypertensive heart diseases and the contributing condition of chronic drug use.

The Clay County Sheriffs Office constantly reviews its policies and procedures to maintain best practices in the care and custody of the inmates housed in the Jail. Although there are no cited deficiencies in the FDLE report, the Clay County Jail now houses specific medical needs inmates in the Medical housing area for closer monitoring.

The Jail and Medical staff responded to the needs and treatment of Mrs. Bewley appropriately. Unfortunately, in this incident, lifesaving measures were unsuccessful. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Bewleys family and friends."

Witnesses told First Coast News they saw Bewley screaming for hours and that she never got help. She was later found dead in her cell.

"They were like pain screams," Brittany Wink told First Coast News back in March. Wink was staying in the cell across from Bewley the day she died.

When Bewley's death became known to the public, the Clay County Sheriff's Office said that in a medical emergency, medical is called and they respond to the inmate and will perform a 15-minute documented watch with constant observation.

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Death of Clay County inmate prompts change in housing for inmates with specific medical needs - FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX