Woman who died in custody identified by SCDC
TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Shawnee County Department of Corrections has released the name of a woman who died in custody Jan. 19.
Dominic Michelle Cox, 45, died in custody after being arrested on Jan. 18 for a traffic warrant and a criminal warrant. According to the SCDC, she had been charged with driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, operating a vehicle with no interlock during suspension as well as other traffic charges.
The traffic warrant carried a bond of $2,000, while the criminal warrant carried no bond, waiting for further action by the court.
The inmate was found unresponsive in a cell and in apparent medical distress. Both security and nursing staff began efforts to keep the woman stable until emergency services arrived at 4:50 p.m. Lifesaving efforts were administered by emergency personnel but she was declared deceased at 5:10 p.m.
The inmate’s name was not released immediately.
Any unexplained death in a correctional facility must be investigated by the KBI for any potential criminal wrongdoing according to Kansas law. An administrative investigation for internal operational management purposes is also being conducted by the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.