A deputy from the Lassen County Jail found a man dead in their cell on Thursday.
A control officer was attempting to make contact with 41-year-old Justin Poteete through an intercom in a single-occupancy housing unit cell. After no response was received, the officer then requested another officer to do a welfare check.
According to deputies, when they entered the cell, Poteete was seen lying on his left side, on the lower bunk, and was unresponsive.
Deputies say an immediate call for assistance took place, prompting additional custody staff and jail nursing personnel to respond. Life-saving measures were initiated by custody staff and continued with the arrival of nursing staff.
A control officer then requested emergency medical services, and eventually, the fire department and an ambulance arrived on scene.
According to deputies, after medical assistance was given, Poteete was pronounced dead by a physician at 11:52 a.m. No foul play or suicide seemed to be a factor, and Poteete's family was notified.
Potette had been arrested on Wednesday, December 31, and was charged with multiple counts of criminal storage of firearms and child abuse.
Deputies say these charges stemmed from an incident in which a two-year-old child obtained a handgun and accidentally shot themself in the stomach. The child is now recovering in the hospital, and it's unclear what will happen to the child once they are released.
This death is under investigation by the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office Detective Unit and is ongoing. According to the Sheriff's Office, an autopsy is being done by the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
Any information related to the investigation will be provided to the California Department of Justice and the Board of State and Community Corrections In-Custody Death Review Team, says the Sheriff's Office.
The Lassen County Sheriff's Office contributed to this story.
