PUEBLO, COLO. -- Updated at 4:40 p.m
Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor has issued a statement in the death of a juvenile inmate who was found dead Monday night at the Pueblo County Detention Center:
“As you are aware, there was a senseless tragedy that occurred last night at the Pueblo County Detention Facility. Unfortunately, a young man’s life ended tragically and by all preliminary indications by his own hand. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Robert Borrego Jr. I believe that in some ways the entire criminal justice system has failed Mr. Borrego as well as many others like him across the nation. Unfortunately, all of the systems and protocols that we put in place cannot protect someone who is determined to harm themselves.
"I have been in constant contact with Undersheriff Hall and my staff in regard to this matter and I assure you, that every aspect of this tragic death will be scrutinized. I have called upon the critical incident team of the 10th Judicial District to look into this matter in detail.
"I fully understand my duty to protect those individuals within my care. I want to publicly commend my deputies, shift supervisors and medical staff for their diligent efforts in regard to this incident. They showed true professionalism in the face of adversity. I have full faith in Undersheriff Hall and his ability to address any concerns and answer any questions that he can. Once again, I would like to express my sincere regrets to the family and friends of Mr. Borrego for their loss.”
Information from police reports:
On June 15, 2009 at approximately 9:59 p.m., Robert John Borrego, Jr., 17, was found in his cell hanging from a toilet partition. Borrego used his bedding material to constrict circulation. Interaction with Borrego was normal and he had a documented visit earlier in the evening from family members. Borrego was placed back in his cell at approximately 9:08 p.m. and at approximately 9:21 he makes a documented phone call. At 10:01 p.m., deputies found Borrego in a seated position with his bedding attached to a small wall surrounding the toilet area. Extensive life-saving procedures were implemented by responding deputies to include CPR, automatic defibrillation and other efforts.
Borrego was transported to Parkview Medical Center by American Medical Response Ambulance and pronounced deceased at 10:32 PM.
Borrego was brought into the detention facility on charges of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon on May 26, 2009.
In consultation with the District Attorney Bill Thiebaut, Police Chief Jim Billings and CBI Supervisory Agent Marc Micciche, Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor instructed Undersheriff J.R. Hall to activate the 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Team. Protocol of the Memorandum of Understanding indicates that all “in-custody” deaths not under a doctor’s care or by natural causes be investigated.
This active investigation will be completed and forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office. First impression of the facts indicated that no other person than Borrego was present at the time of the incident and that normal procedures were being used.
“All systems will be examined for the purposes of accountability, training and planning in our effort to be a learning organization," Taylor stated.
Deputies and medical personnel at the Pueblo County Jail will be afforded counseling services, as this type of tragedy crosses many thresholds.
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During a routine check of inmates at Pueblo's detention center at 10 p.m. Monday night, deputies from the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office discovered a male juvenile prisoner with a piece of cloth tied around his neck.
Deputies and medical staff performed lifesaving measures immediately and the victim was transported by ambulance to Parkview Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
The name of the juvenile has not been released pending notification of the family.
The 10th Judicial District Critical Incident Team was activated and is conducting an investigation into the death.
The team contains members from the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, 10th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Pueblo Police Department and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies in Pueblo County.
Information provided by Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.