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Home • News

Cleveland Mother Found Dead in Jail Cell, Family Wants Answers

An autopsy shows that 37-year-old Ralkina Jones didn't suffer from any "suspicious injuries," but a cause of death has not been determined
Records: Ralkina Jones Improperly Medicated Before Dying in Jail Cell
Twitter/Ryllie Danylko
By Taylor Lewis · Updated October 27, 2020
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The family of a Cleveland mother who was found dead in her jail cell yesterday morning is demanding answers.

Ralkina Jones, 37, was taken into police custody on the night of Friday, July 24 after she was reportedly involved in a domestic dispute with her husband at his job. She was taken to Cleveland Heights Jail, where she was found dead in her cell around 10 a.m. on Sunday morning.

According to police officers, Jones, who has an 11-year-old daughter, was suffering from problems associated with blood sugar and blood pressure and was taken to the hospital hours before she was found dead. An autopsy found that Jones did not show any signs of suspicious injuries, but the medical examiner has not yet determined the cause of death.

Jones’ sister, Renee Ashford, said that she visited her sister on Saturday, and she didn’t appear to be suffering from any health problems. Since her death, Ashford said that the police department has been reluctant to answer any questions from the grieving family.

“Every time we call, we don’t get an answer,” Ashford said to Cleveland.com. “That’s the upsetting part.”

Police haven’t released a report. An investigation is currently underway.