A string of inmate fatalities across Erie County’s correctional system has intensified scrutiny over jail operations and oversight, following the death of a 46-year-old man discovered unresponsive in his cell over the weekend.
Manuel Ortiz, who had been incarcerated at the Erie County Holding Center since December 30th, was found unconscious shortly after midnight on Saturday, August 15th, according to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. Jail personnel initiated emergency lifesaving measures – administering CPR and utilizing an automated external defibrillator – but were unable to revive him. Ortiz was pronounced dead at 12:51am.
Ortiz was being held following an indictment in Erie County Court on attempted burglary and criminal mischief charges stemming from a West Seneca Police Department investigation, alongside pending counts of burglary, criminal contempt, harassment, and criminal mischief across West Seneca Town Court and Buffalo City Court…