Fifth Waupun inmate death: Sheriff investigates amidst concerns over rising death toll
Fifth inmate dies at Waupun prison; Sheriff's office investigates
Fifth Waupun inmate death: Sheriff investigates amidst concerns over rising death toll
ALL RIGHT MARK, THANK YOU. NOW TO BOMBSHELL ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A PRISON WARDEN IN WISCONSIN. AND EIGHT WORKERS THERE FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH TWO DEATHS AT WEAPON CORRECTIONAL, WHICH IS A MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON IN DODGE COUNTY. PRISON WARDEN RANDALL HEPPE IS AMONG THOSE CHARGED. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER JAMES STRATTON HAS BEEN REPORTING ON THE DEATHS AT WEAPON FOR MONTHS, AND NOW CRIMINAL CHARGES. AS. TONIGHT, CHARGES IN A SWEEPING INVESTIGATION INVOLVING DEATHS AT WEAPONS PRISON WARDEN RANDALL HEPPE AND EIGHT OTHERS CHARGED WITH FELONIES IN THE DEATH OF TWO OF FOUR INMATES WHO DIED IN THE LAST YEAR. THE FIRST 24 YEAR OLD CAMERON WILLIAMS, DIED OF A STROKE IN LATE OCTOBER. THE INVESTIGATION SHOWS HE WAS STUMBLING, DISORIENTED AND TOLD STAFF THREE DAYS EARLIER HE NEEDED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DECEDENT PASSED AWAY FOLLOWING THIS TIME PERIOD, AND LIKELY WAS IN DIRE MEDICAL DISTRESS WHEN THE INCOMING NURSE DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO MEDICAL NEED TO MAKE ENTRY, 62 YEAR OLD DONALD MEYER DIED OF DEHYDRATION AND MALNUTRITION IN FEBRUARY. SHERIFF SCHMIDT SAYS STAFF FAILED TO GIVE HIM NINE MEALS IN FOUR DAYS AND SHUT OFF WATER TO HIS CELL. SECURITY STAFF NOTIFIED NURSING STAFF THAT THE DECEDENT HAD NOT EATEN FOOD FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, WAS DRINKING SEWAGE WATER AND PLAYED IN THE TOILET. WHILE SHERIFF SCHMIDT WAS RELEASING HIS FINDINGS IN THE INVESTIGATION AT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE, ALL NINE PRISON WORKERS WERE SEEING THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE IN DODGE COUNTY COURT. ONE OF THEM, NURSE GWENDOLYN VICK, CHARGED WITH ABUSE IN 24 YEAR OLD WILLIAMS DEATH. BELIEVE ME, THE LAST THING IN THE WORLD SHE WANTED WAS FOR THIS YOUNG MAN TO SUFFER. AND IF SHE HAD THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING SHE COULD HAVE DONE TO AVOID IT, SHE WOULD HAVE DONE IT ON TOP OF NURSE, VICK ALSO CHARGED NURSE JESSICA HOSSFELD AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS BRANDON FISCHER, TANNER LEOPOLD, JAMAL RUSSELL, ALEXANDER HOLFELDER, JESSICA HOSSFELD AND SARAH RANSBOTTOM. JEREMY CHALKER AND WARDEN RANDALL HEPP. THIS INVESTIGATION, ON TOP OF ANOTHER INTERNAL AND FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO DRUG AND CELL PHONE SMUGGLING INSIDE THE PRISON THAT IS COMPLETELY SEPARATE OF THESE CHARGES RELATING TO DEATHS INSIDE IN DODGE COUNTY, JAMES STRATTON, WISN 12 NEWS. SHERIFF SCHMIDT CALLED FOR REFORM FOR BOTH WEAPON AND GREEN BAY CORRECTIONAL CENTERS. THAT INCLUDES EITHER RENOVATING THEM OR TEARING THEM DOWN TO BUILD NEW. HE ALSO CALLED F
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Fifth inmate dies at Waupun prison; Sheriff's office investigates
Fifth Waupun inmate death: Sheriff investigates amidst concerns over rising death toll
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an inmate at the Waupun Correctional Institution on Monday, Aug. 5.According to the sheriff's office, the death of 57-year-old Waupun Correctional Institution inmate Christopher McDonald appears to have been suicide.Video above: Warden of embattled Waupun prison, 8 others, chargedInitial reports say staff provided medical aid upon discovering the inmate. Despite their efforts, the inmate could not be saved.This fifth death came as lawmakers are stepping up pressure on the state prison system.Former warden Randall Hepp, who retired in June, was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Dodge County Circuit Court on one felony charge of misconduct in office following an earlier investigation by the sheriff’s department. Hepp and eight members of his staff were charged with various felonies in June, including misconduct and inmate abuse, in connection with two inmates’ deaths at the prison since last year. One of the inmates died of a stroke, and the other died of dehydration, according to court documents.No one has been charged in connection to the other two inmate deaths within the past year at Waupun. Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
WAUPUN, Wis. —
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an inmate at the Waupun Correctional Institution on Monday, Aug. 5.
According to the sheriff's office, the death of 57-year-old Waupun Correctional Institution inmate Christopher McDonald appears to have been suicide.
Video above: Warden of embattled Waupun prison, 8 others, charged
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Initial reports say staff provided medical aid upon discovering the inmate. Despite their efforts, the inmate could not be saved.
This fifth death came as lawmakers are stepping up pressure on the state prison system.
Former warden Randall Hepp, who retired in June, was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Dodge County Circuit Court on one felony charge of misconduct in office following an earlier investigation by the sheriff’s department.
Hepp and eight members of his staff were charged with various felonies in June, including misconduct and inmate abuse, in connection with two inmates’ deaths at the prison since last year. One of the inmates died of a stroke, and the other died of dehydration, according to court documents.
No one has been charged in connection to the other two inmate deaths within the past year at Waupun.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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