Investigation launched following the death of an inmate at La Porte County Jail

LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. – The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office report they are investigating the death of Joel L. Ohms, a 45-year-old male who was being held in the La Porte County Jail on a one-day sentence.

On Tuesday, Ohms was found unresponsive inside his cell by a Jail Division member, the office reported.

Jail staff immediately began to aid and render resuscitation efforts until La Porte County Emergency Services arrived.

Ohms was transported by ambulance to Northwest Health, a hospital in La Porte.

At 7:29 a.m. on Tuesday, Ohms was pronounced deceased by medical staff, reports said.

On Monday evening, Ohms allegedly surrendered himself to the  La Porte County Sheriff’s Office. Ohms was then booked into the county jail to begin serving a series of one-day sentences.

Ohms was scheduled to be released on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., the office said.

Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division was contacted and has launched a death investigation. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and LaPorte County Coroner’s Office will be assisting.

This is an active and ongoing investigation.