Two deaths at Saginaw Co. Jail under investigation

SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) - Two inmate deaths at the Saginaw County Jail are under investigation.

On Saturday, Sept. 16 at 9 a.m., Daniel Burns, a 60-year-old man from the Bridgeport area, was being housed in the medical unit of the jail, the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office said, where he was talking and being disruptive.

When he settled down and became quiet, jail medical staff and a corrections officer went to check his vitals and found him unresponsive, the sheriff’s office said, adding an ambulance was called, outside medical personnel arrived, and medical care was started.

According to the sheriff’s office, Burns did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead.

On Monday, Sept. 18 at 9 p.m., Scott Babcock, a 46-year-old man from the Saginaw area, was housed in a general population pod-cell where he was seen by jail medical staff and given his evening medications, the sheriff’s office said.

Twenty minutes later, his cellmates contacted correctional staff and said he was unresponsive, the sheriff’s office said, adding medical staff and correctional staff entered the cell area and began giving him treatment. An ambulance was called and outside medical personnel arrived.

Babcock didn’t regain consciousness and was pronounced dead, according to the sheriff’s office.

Both deaths are under investigation, the sheriff’s office said, adding autopsies will be conducted.

Read next:

Bay City house catches fire, explodes

Mel Tucker issues statement after MSU gives him notice of intent for termination

Gov. Whitmer signs legislation to expand use of ignition interlock devices

Gov. Whitmer updates legislation on banning child marriage

Subscribe to the TV5 newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every day.

Copyright 2023 WNEM. All rights reserved.