Benton County Inmate With Medical Condition Dies

TRI-CITIES, Wash. (AP) — Officials say an inmate who died at the Benton County jail had been suffering from an undisclosed medical condition.

The Tri-City Herald reports 40-year-old Steven Flaten was found unresponsive in his cell Wednesday. The sheriff's office says he died a short time later despite efforts from medical staff and corrections officers.

Flaten had been taken into custody two days earlier. He was being held on warrants for charges of forgery, theft and drug offenses.

Officials say jail officers checked on Flaten every 30 minutes, as required by his medical condition. He had visited jail medical staff several times, including just hours before his death, when he was reported to be in stable condition.

Sheriff Steve Keane has requested an investigation into his death.

An autopsy is set for Saturday.