BCSO: Inmate dies after testing positive for COVID-19

Published 7:23 am CDT, Tuesday, May 5, 2020

An inmate at the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has died after testing positive for COVID-19.

The department announced that 66-year-old Clifford Childs was taken off of life support Monday night while he was receiving treatment for the coronavirus at University Hospital.

READ MORE: The latest news and features about coronavirus in San Antonio

Childs had been admitted to the hospital on April 17 because of a combination of preexisting medical conditions plus ailments associated with the virus. Hospital staff made the decision to intubate Childs and place him on a ventilator because of his condition.

While the official cause of death has not been determined by the Bexar County Medical Examiner yet, preliminary reports indicate that Childs’ death is COVID-related.

Childs’ death comes just days after BCSO Deputy Timothy De La Fuente died after testing positive for COVID-19.

As per procedure, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, Internal Affairs, and the Public Integrity Unit are investigating the death. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards and Converse Police Department have been notified as well.

Childs had been in the Bexar County Jail since March 2018, awaiting trial for two murder charges.

As of Monday, 294 inmates at the detention center have tested positive for COVID-19, with 217 of those cases reported as asymptomatic, BCSO said. Over 830 inmates have been tested for COVID-19 since mass testing became available for staff and inmates.

Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for MySA.com | [email protected] | @TaylorPettaway

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