Homicide detectives are investigating the death last week in the Harris County Jail of a woman who was previously injured during a chase with Houston police, according to the sheriff's office.
It was at least the fifth death of a Harris County inmate this year, including the beating death in April of an inmate jailed for allegedly stealing a guitar.
Lakeshia Dibbles, 33, died at St. Joseph's Medical Center at 8:27 p.m. May 25, less than two hours after suffering an apparent seizure and collapsing in a Harris County Jail cell. Earlier that day at 7:08 a.m., Dibbles was booked into the jail after her release from another Houston hospital, where she spent a week being treated for head trauma that took place when she stumbled and fell while being chased May 18 by the Houston Police Department, sheriff's officials said.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Court records show Dibbles was arrested for allegedly stealing four bottles of baby formula, but the charges were elevated to a felony because she had two prior theft convictions. Dibbles was also charged with evading arrest by HPD.
More For You
Sheriff Ron Hickman said in a written statement that jailers and medical staff responded immediately after Dibbles was seen to have a seizure and attempted to resuscitate the woman. The statement said an investigation by homicide investigators is underway, along with a inquiry by the Internal Affairs Division. The Harris County medical examiner will determine her cause of death.
"At this time, we trust in the opinion of the medical professionals that determined Dibbles was eligible for release from the hospital and into HPD's custody," Hickman said. "Our internal investigation will determine whether deviations from procedure occurred, and identify areas that merit improvement."
Vannetta Dibbles declined to discuss the circumstances of her daughter's death.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
"My daughter is a beautiful person, and she is a princess to her mother, and I want to leave it that way," Dibbles said. "All I know is my daughter was a beautiful girl, inside and out. She gave to everybody - she helped the homeless. I just want to be at peace."
A Houston police department spokesman confirmed that Dibbles' death was under review.
"As is customary in these incidents, once we were made aware of Ms. Lakeshia Dibbles' death, an Internal Affairs investigation into the incident was immediately ordered by Acting Chief of Police (Martha) Montalvo," according to a statement.
