Staff Reports
The death of a 17-year-old male in the Bartholomew County Youth Services Center Tuesday has been ruled a death by suicide by the county coroner’s office.
Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting said the teen, who is not from Columbus or Bartholomew County, used a bed sheet to end his life while being detained in the center.
The teen’s cause of death was ruled as asphyxia due to hanging, Nolting said.
Columbus Police Department officers were sent to the center at 2359 Illinois Ave. at 10:25 p.m. Tuesday regarding the teen’s suicide attempt, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
CPD officers along with paramedics and Columbus firefighters administered aid to the juvenile, who was later pronounced dead by a deputy coroner at the center.
The juvenile was housed in the detention or “secured” area of the youth services center, Harris said.
The Bartholomew County Youth Services Center has a separate area for youths who are detained for offenses after they are arrested by police. It also has a separate area that provides housing for youths who need emergency shelter because of their home situation or other circumstances.
Nolting confirmed there are cameras in the area within the youth services building where the juvenile was detained.
