Person left in Wakefield courthouse holding cell overnight

September 1, 2017 5:02 pm

By: News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

WAKEFIELD, R.I. (WLNE) — A deputy sheriff was placed on administrative leave after a man was left unsupervised in a holding cell overnight at the McGrath Judicial Complex in Wakefield.

"We are going to investigate it. It is important that we find out exactly what happened,” said Rhode Island State Police Col. Ann Assumpico.

Assumpico said the man appeared in Superior Court on Thursday was ordered to be released on personal recognizance. Instead, he was held overnight for more than 15 hours alone. At approximately 8:00 a.m., Friday morning the man was discovered and immediately released.

"I placed a Deputy Sheriff on administrative leave and I ordered the Rhode Island state police detectives to thoroughly investigate this,” said Assumpico.

As that investigation gets underway, the state’s Chief Sheriff making it clear he doesn’t think this was done on purpose.

"I would be surprised beyond belief if that turned out to be the case,” said Chief Sheriff David DeCesare.

As for the conditions inside of the cell, we are told the man had a toilet and water.

The Col. could not comment; however, on what state that man was in when he was in when found in the morning.

In addition to the Rhode Island State Police investigation Col. Assumpico has called for a thorough review of the Division of Sheriff’s policies and procedures; paying particular attention to the custody, and care of people in their custody.