'I Don't Want To Die In Your Cell,' Woman Told Police Shortly Before Dying In Jail

A recently released video shows Ralkina Jones discussing her multiple health issues with police.

An Ohio woman told police she didn't want to die in custody just a few hours before she was found dead in her jail cell bed.

Ralkina Jones, 37, was found unresponsive on July 26, 15 hours after she discussed her medical issues with police.

“I’m not asking for an exception to any rules, but I will tell you this: I don’t want to die in your cell," Jones can be heard saying in a video released on Monday by the Cleveland Heights Police Department.

Jones -- who was in custody on multiple charges, including felonious assault -- can be heard discussing the medication she would need to take while in jail. Health issues she faced included fainting when standing up, seizures, anxiety and depression. Jones also told police she had suffered a brain injury as a result of being assaulted by her ex-husband -- the person she was accused of assaulting the night of her arrest.

The officers in the video appear to be understanding of Jones' concerns, and took seriously her complaint that other officers she had encountered earlier had yelled at her and been dismissive of her worries.

“I sympathize with you,” an officer tells her. “I addressed them about it, that won’t happen again.”

A spokesman for the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner told The Huffington Post that there were "no suspicious injuries." An official cause of death has not yet been released.

Jones' family released a statement saying they "do not fully understand all of the facts and circumstances surrounding her death but look forward to the results of the pending investigations," Cleveland.com reported.

Close

What's Hot