AUGUSTA — A 64-year-old inmate who had been isolated from other prisoners because of his behavior died Friday in a cell at the Kennebec County Jail, the sheriff said.
Dana Kitchin of Waterville was in an observation cell when a corrections officer conducting a 15-minute check found him unresponsive with a low pulse at 3:55 p.m. Friday, according to Sheriff Randall Liberty. Liberty said the jail’s in-house medical team and Augusta Rescue were called but Kitchin was pronounced dead when rescue workers arrived.
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Maine State Police Detective Ryan Brockway is investigating the death, which is standard procedure.
Kitchin, who was arrested by Waterville police Wednesday, appears to have had an unspecified medical problem, authorities said.
“No foul play is suspected,” said Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety. McCausland said the cause of death would be confirmed by the state Medical Examiner’s Office.
Liberty said Kitchin had showed no signs of a medical condition. The Medical Examiner’s Office, which performed an autopsy Sunday, could not be reached for comment Monday.
Liberty said Kitchin had been in custody at the jail for three days after he was arrested and charged with criminal trespass in Waterville.
Kitchin’s behavior “was challenging.”
“He had not assaulted anyone yet, but he was verbal and loud and uncooperative,” Liberty said, adding that the observation cell is a standard practice for the safety of the inmate and others.
Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey said police have had contact with Kitchin about 50 times since 2006. His interactions with police include numerous criminal trespassing charges and warnings, according to newspaper archives and police. They include Wednesday’s incident in which a Butler Court resident told him to leave her apartment; he refused and was arrested.
McCausland said state police investigate all inmate deaths in the corrections system and that the Department of Corrections will review the incident. Liberty said an internal review also will be conducted.
Keith Edwards can be contacted at 621-5647 or at:
kedwards@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @kedwardskj
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