Investigate Huntington County Jail Inmate Death

Huntington, IN- At the request of the Huntington County Sheriff, the Indiana State Police is investigating the death of a Huntington County jail inmate that occurred yesterday morning, Sunday March 3, 2024.   

The preliminary investigation has determined that Sunday morning at approximately 5:15am, Huntington County Jail staff responded to a female inmate in medical distress.  The inmate, identified as Schakia L. Yates, 37, of Indianapolis, was being housed alone in a medical cell due to a history of medical issues.  Yates was unresponsive.  Jail staff provided medical aid and called for EMS personnel.  Upon their arrival  EMS personnel took over life saving care, but were not able to revive Yates. She was pronounced dead at the jail.

Early today, as part of the ongoing investigation, an autopsy was conducted by the Huntington County Corner at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center. The results of that autopsy as to  cause and manner of death are pending with the Huntington County Coroner's official report.   

Schakia Yates had been incarcerated in the Huntington County Jail for just over a year.  The Yates family has been notified of her death.

This is an ongoing investigation. No further information is available for release at this time.