OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, Fla. (WPEC) — A medical examiner's office in Florida has released the autopsy findings of a pregnant inmate that died while in custody.
The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office said 19-year-old Kaitlynn Barnes was in custody since May 18, facing charges of three counts of transmission/possession of child porn and other charges.
While conducting morning roll call checks on Sept. 12, detention staff and emergency services said they found Barnes unresponsive in her bunk. Staff rushed to perform CPR on Barnes, but she was later pronounced dead.
In the autopsy report, Barnes' death was labeled as "Natural - Complications of Pregnancy."
Barnes had non-specific changes in the lungs and liver, which are suggestive indications of but not limited to eclampsia, H.E.L.L.P. syndrome, and acute fatty liver during pregnancy.
The medical examiner said eclampsia is a condition in which one or more convulsions occur in a pregnant woman suffering from high blood pressure, often followed by a coma that poses a significant threat to the health of the mother and baby. H.E.L.L.P. syndrome is a rare pregnancy complication. Ultimately, both contributed to the death of Barnes and her unborn child.
This case is closed, and we hope this brings closure to Miss Barnes's family and friends. The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office Administration & Detention Staff take those individuals' daily management, care, and custody seriously," authorities noted on Facebook. "Our condolences continue to go out to the family and friends of Miss Barnes and her unborn child."____
EDITOR'S NOTE: The National Desk's Jessica A. Botelho contributed to this report.
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