WAPAKONETA, Ohio (WLIO) – Authorities are investigating the death of a Belle Center man who died while incarcerated at the Auglaize County Corrections Center.
The Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office says 54-year-old Benjamin Hopkins died early Sunday morning. Just before 1 a.m., corrections staff were conducting a head count when they found Hopkins unresponsive.
They began life-saving measures, and Wapakoneta EMS transported him to St. Rita’s Medical Center, where he could not be revived and was pronounced dead.
Hopkins had been booked into the Auglaize County Jail on Oct. 15 on felonious assault and domestic violence charges.
Sheriff’s officials say all inmates were in lockdown at the time of the incident. Auglaize County Jail officials conduct head counts twice an hour.
No foul play is suspected, and the investigation into Hopkins’ death is ongoing.
Media Release from the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office
On October 261112, 025 at approx. 12:43 a.m. the Auglaize County Correctional Center Staff was performing their routine head count when they found an unresponsive inmate. Life saving measures were immediately performed by the Corrections staff. Auglaize County Sheriff's Deputies responded to assist as well as Wapakoneta EMS. Wapakoneta EMS transported the inmate to St. Rita's Medical Center. St. Rita's was w1able to revive the inmate and he was pronounced deceased at 1:37 a.m.
The inmate is identified as: Benjamin P. Hopkins 54 yoa, Belle Center, Ohio
Benjamin Hopkins was booked into the Auglaize County Corrections Center on Oct. 151'\ 2025 on charges of:
Felonious Assault 2903.11 2nd Degree Felony
Domestic Violence 2919.25 1st Degree Misdemeanor
Due to the time, all inmates (including Benjamin) were on lock down in their own cells as this is normal procedure.
State of Ohio does require head counts to be performed 1 time every hour on inmates however the Auglaize County Corrections Center performs these head counts twice every hour.
No foul play is suspected and the investigation is still pending with the assistance of the Allen County Coroners Office.
No further comment can be made at this time.
