By Amanda Lubinski
ALubinski@cherryroad.com

CLAY COUNTY — Clay County Sheriff’s Office is investigating another inmate death after a second inmate died this month in custody in the county detention center in Liberty.

The latest death is that of Wende K. Routh, 55.

According to Sarah Boyd, the sheriff’s office public relations manager, Routh’s cellmate alerted detention center staff that something was wrong with Routh shortly after 4 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 20.

“Detention officers immediately went to her cell and began life-saving measures. Detention center medical staff took over lifesaving efforts until EMS arrived and continued, said Boyd in a release to area media.

The lifesaving measures were to no avail. Routh was declared deceased in her cell.

“The death appears to be the result of natural causes. Routh entered the jail on Feb. 3. She was being held on a probation violation. Yesterday, a judge sentenced her to 180 days of incarceration in the Clay County Detention Center,” shared Boyd Feb. 20.

Routh’s death was the second inmate death in the jail this month.

Kenneth E. Scott, 63, was located unresponsive in his cell on Feb. 6 and declared deceased shortly thereafter.

“Preliminary autopsy results confirmed the investigation’s initial findings that his death was due to natural causes,” said Boyd. “We will release the official cause of death upon the completion of the final autopsy report, to include toxicology results.”