Investigation Launched After Ottawa County Jail Death; Prior Deaths and Serious Injuries Raise Oversight Questions
Investigation Launched After Ottawa County Jail Death; Prior Deaths and Serious Injuries Raise Oversight Questions
MIAMI, Okla. (Feb. 3, 2026) — Authorities are investigating after an inmate was found unresponsive in his cell at the Ottawa County Jail early Tuesday and later pronounced dead at a hospital, officials said.
District Attorney Douglas Pewitt said Wesley Dainty was observed appearing to sleep during a routine jail check shortly before 6 a.m. About an hour later, jail staff found him unresponsive and began life-saving efforts before transporting him to a local hospital, where he died.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is handling the inquiry, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death. Officials said the death is being investigated as a possible suicide, though no determination has been made.
The latest death adds to a history of in-custody deaths and serious injuries at the Ottawa County Jail that have drawn legal scrutiny, state investigations and public concern over detainee care and oversight.
Timeline: Inmate Deaths and Serious Injuries at Ottawa County Jail (Miami, Oklahoma)
Oct. 22, 2015 — Terral Ellis Jr., 26, dies in custody
Ellis died after spending nearly two weeks in the Ottawa County Jail following his arrest on a DUI warrant. Surveillance video later released through litigation showed Ellis repeatedly pleading for medical help as his condition deteriorated.
The Oklahoma medical examiner ruled the cause of death as sepsis and pneumonia. Ellis’ family filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit alleging deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. In 2023, a federal jury awarded the family $33 million in damages.
Nov. 16, 2021 — Inmate Michael W. Victor, 38, dies
Authorities said Victor was found not breathing in his cell and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The OSBI investigated, and the medical examiner was tasked with determining the cause of death. Officials released limited public details.
Jan. 22–27, 2025 — Leah Abbigail Sanko, 24, seriously injured
Sanko was hospitalized after suffering severe facial injuries while detained at the Ottawa County Jail. According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, she had been arrested after being medically cleared following a possible overdose and later exhibited behavior consistent with medical distress while in custody.
She was unable to walk without assistance, appeared in court in a wheelchair, and was released after her parents requested medical care. Charges against her were later dismissed. The sheriff’s office requested an independent OSBI review, which later stated it found no evidence that she was assaulted by jail staff.
Feb. 3, 2026 — Wesley Dainty found unresponsive
Dainty was found unresponsive during morning checks and later died at a hospital. The OSBI and medical examiner are investigating. Officials have not yet released an official cause of death.
Broader Context
The death of Terral Ellis Jr. remains the most extensively documented case involving the Ottawa County Jail, drawing national attention and prompting renewed examination of jail medical practices, staff training and accountability. Civil-rights advocates say the case underscores the risks detainees face when medical complaints are not promptly addressed.
County officials have said the jail follows required procedures and that each serious incident is reviewed individually. However, repeated OSBI investigations and litigation outcomes have continued to raise questions about staffing, medical screening and supervision inside the facility.
Investigación tras muerte en la cárcel del condado de Ottawa; muertes previas y lesiones graves generan dudas sobre supervisión
MIAMI, Oklahoma (3 de febrero de 2026) — Las autoridades investigan después de que un recluso fue encontrado inconsciente en su celda en la cárcel del condado de Ottawa la madrugada del martes y posteriormente fue declarado muerto en un hospital, informaron funcionarios.
El fiscal de distrito Douglas Pewitt dijo que Wesley Dainty fue observado aparentemente dormido durante una revisión rutinaria poco antes de las 6 a.m. Aproximadamente una hora después, el personal lo encontró inconsciente e inició maniobras de reanimación antes de trasladarlo a un hospital local, donde falleció.
La Oficina Estatal de Investigaciones de Oklahoma (OSBI) está a cargo de la investigación, y la Oficina del Médico Forense Jefe determinará la causa y la forma de muerte. Las autoridades indicaron que el caso se investiga como un posible suicidio, aunque no se ha emitido una determinación oficial.
La muerte más reciente se suma a un historial de fallecimientos bajo custodia y lesiones graves en la cárcel del condado de Ottawa, que han generado escrutinio legal, investigaciones estatales y preocupación pública sobre la atención y supervisión de los detenidos.
Cronología: muertes y lesiones graves en la cárcel del condado de Ottawa (Miami, Oklahoma)
22 de octubre de 2015 — Muere Terral Ellis Jr., 26 años
Ellis murió tras pasar casi dos semanas detenido por una orden relacionada con DUI. Videos de vigilancia divulgados posteriormente mostraron a Ellis suplicando atención médica mientras su condición empeoraba.
El médico forense determinó que la causa de muerte fue sepsis y neumonía. En 2023, un jurado federal otorgó a su familia 33 millones de dólares en una demanda por violación de derechos civiles.
16 de noviembre de 2021 — Muere el recluso Michael W. Victor, 38 años
Las autoridades informaron que Victor fue encontrado sin respirar en su celda y murió posteriormente en un hospital. El OSBI investigó el caso y el médico forense determinó la causa de muerte.
22–27 de enero de 2025 — Leah Abbigail Sanko, 24 años, sufre lesiones graves
Sanko fue hospitalizada tras sufrir graves lesiones faciales mientras se encontraba detenida. La oficina del alguacil indicó que había sido médicamente autorizada para ingresar a la cárcel tras una posible sobredosis.
Compareció ante el tribunal en silla de ruedas y fue liberada a solicitud de sus padres. Los cargos fueron desestimados y una investigación independiente del OSBI concluyó que no había evidencia de agresión por parte del personal.
3 de febrero de 2026 — Wesley Dainty encontrado inconsciente
Dainty fue hallado inconsciente durante revisiones matutinas y murió posteriormente en un hospital. La investigación continúa.
— Miami News-Digest
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