St. Petersburg Times Online: Business

Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

Jail supervisors suspended for not reporting suicide attempt

Associated Press
Published April 27, 2004

SHARPES - Two supervisors at the Brevard County Detention Center have been suspended for failing to immediately report that an inmate attempted suicide.

The move comes in the midst of an investigation of a rash of inmate suicides, including one that happened while supervisors were at a cookout.

In the most recent attempt, two guards prevented 19-year-old inmate Corey Lautkin from hanging himself on Friday, jail administrator Greg Futch said.

On Saturday, Brevard County Sheriff Phil Williams suspended Maj. Elizabeth Canada, the jail's third in command, and Lt. Terra Hudson. They are being investigated for possibly failing to promptly notify key investigative units about the incident.

"This was a crime scene Friday, and supervisors needed to treat it that way," Williams said Sunday.

© Copyright, St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.