A Santa Ana inmate who was attacked by his cellmate died in a hospital on Friday, officials confirmed to KTLA.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department identified the inmate as 38-year-old Juan Vasquez Pulido, who had no known residence.
According to OCSD, Anaheim police arrested and booked Pulido into the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana on Feb. 5 for “drug-related offenses.”
Later that same day, Pulido was put in a holding cell with another inmate, 23-year-old Irving Josue Morales.
While Pulido and Morales were on the booking loop of the Intake Release Center waiting to be housed, Morales attacked Pulido, knocking him unconscious.
Details are limited, and it was not initially made clear whether any weapons were used in the attack or how long Pulido was unconscious for before officials found him. KTLA contacted OCSD for further information on the attack but did not immediately hear back.
When deputies found Pulido unconscious in the cell, OCDS said they provided medical aid before paramedics arrived to take him to a local hospital.
At the hospital, Pulido was placed into a medically induced coma, officials said.
Pulido died 16 days later.
OCSD said that Morales was initially charged with attempted murder.
“However, as a result of Pulido’s death, additional charges for Morales may be considered by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office,” the sheriff’s department said in a release.
KTLA asked OCSD whether the initial charge of attempted murder came before the attack or because of the attack, but did not immediately hear back.
“The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death,” said the department. “The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.”
