Clay County Investigates Inmate Death

Clay County detectives opened an investigation into the death of an inmate in the Clay County Detention Center on Thursday, Feb. 20. A female inmate was found by a cellmate and alerted detention staff.

55-year-old Wende K. Routh was found by a cellmate shortly after 4 am. The cellmate alerted deputies that something was wrong with Routh. Deputies entered the cell and began trying to resuscitate Routh.

Medical staff took over the life-saving measures until EMS personnel arrived on scene. Preliminary reports say the death appears to be from natural causes.

Routh was incarcerated at the detention center on February 3, on a probation violation. She was sentenced to 180 days of jail time for the violation.

The death investigation is ongoing.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.