LEWISTON, ID – An investigation is underway into this morning’s death of a 38-year-old female inmate at the Nez Perce County Adult Detention Center. According to a press release, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Detention Deputies were notified by inmates in the general population of an unconscious inmate. They rushed to the housing area and performed life saving measures on Chelsea L. Rohrback-Skinner.
Lewiston Paramedics were also summoned to the jail and attempted to revive Rohrback-Skinner but she was later pronounced deceased.
“RohrbackSkinner arrived at the Detention Center on 1/28/2023; and has been held in custody for a probation violation, pending her next court date set on 2/8/2023. The next of kin has been notified,” officials say.
The Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office immediately notified the Idaho State Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident including, but not limited, to the cause and manner of death.
“My office will cooperate fully with the Idaho State Police during this investigation. It is my understanding an autopsy is pending,” Sheriff Bryce Scrimsher says. “The Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office will conduct an internal review of existing jail practices, protocols, and policies in conjunction with any medical evaluations of the decedent. I want the public to know that I take this occurrence in my jail seriously. As this internal investigation continues, I strive to be transparent about what happened while respecting the ongoing external investigation by an outside agency.”
“As soon as possible after the incident, I made counselors available to inmates and detention staff who may need assistance in handling this tragedy. Thank you to the inmates who called for help when one of their fellow inmates was in trouble,” Scrimsher adds.
