Lupita Natasha Hernandez, 38

Fort Worth, Texas
October 17, 2015

Agencies: Texas Commission on Jail Standards | Texas Jail Project | Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Texas | Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office Texas

Cause of death: Response to Medical Emergency

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Last updated: over 3 years ago

Overview

Inmate Hernandez was housed on the medical floor of the Tarrant County Correction Center (55H07) due to numerous medical needs. Hernandez was under medical care for Congestive Heart Failure, Kidney disease, Seizures and several other medical issues. On October 17, 2015 Hernandez was in her cell standing at the door speaking with an officer. While speaking with the officer, Hernandez began to slide down the door to the floor. The officer called a medical code for assistance. Tarrant County Jail Medical staff arrived and began life saving procedures. Fort Worth Fire Department and MedStar Ambulance was contacted for further assistance and upon arrival, assisted medical staff with lifesaving procedures. Hernandez was pronounced deceased by the MedStar Paramedic Supervisor Now there is a quibble from authorities about just where she died.

A 38-year-old homeless woman died at the Tarrant County jail Saturday night, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office.

The medical examiner’s website says Lupita Hernandez, 38, died at 9:43 p.m. in her jail cell at the Tarrant County Corrections Center, at 100 N. Lamar St., on Saturday.

But a spokesman for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office said Hernandez died in the jail’s medical unit.

“She was under medical care when she passed away,” Terry Grisham said.

He didn’t say what she was being treated for, but that she was in a portion of the jail where sick inmates receive care from John Peter Smith Hospital medical professionals.

Grisham said there was no “obvious sign of trauma” to her body. Her cause and manner of death were still pending with the medical examiner.

Hernandez was in jail stemming from a criminal trespass charge Sept. 10, he said.

She was scheduled for an Oct. 26 court date, according to public records.

Hernandez’s address was listed as the Presbyterian Night Shelter at 2400 Cypress St. in Fort Worth.

“We are doing an investigation like we always do anytime we have a death in custody,” Grisham said. “We will send a report to the attorney general.”

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