WARREN COUNTY, Ohio — Two employees at the Lebanon Correctional Institute in Warren County have been placed on administrative leave following the death of an inmate.
The Warren County Coroner's Office told us inmate LaSelle Allen, 38, died at the Atrium Medical Center Saturday, Nov. 29. While the coroner's office said there is no preliminary cause of death, they noted that "there was some type of altercation and pepper spray was utilized." Officials are awaiting the results of an autopsy.
On Wednesday, a corrections officer at the prison was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a use-of-force investigation. A nurse at the prison was also placed on paid leave in relation to Allen's death, a prison spokesperson tells us.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol, which is handling the investigation into Allen's death, tells us they are openly and actively investigating Allen's death.
WATCH: Allen's family spoke to us on Thursday about what they know
According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction, Allen was serving a 1.5-year sentence for aggravated assault and attempted discharge of a firearm near a habitation or school. Allen was convicted of committing those crimes in Lucas County.
We began looking into this story after Allen's sister-in-law reached out to us on Tuesday. She said the family is waiting on reports from the Warren County coroner to determine Allen's cause of death.
Thursday, we spoke to Allen's mom, Rose Sailes. Her family lives in Toledo.
"I can't believe that this has happened," Sailes said.
Sailes said the family has many unanswered questions about what happened.
"All the information we got is coming from the inmates in the prison," Sailes said.
Allen's girlfriend, Sage Allen, said they're trying to figure out what happened by talking to other inmates.
"From multiple sources, they said he got pepper-sprayed over 17 times in his face and in his mouth," Sailes said.
Sailes said Allen was scheduled to be released next month.
"I just talked to him on the 28th and he was fine," Sailes said. "It's heartbreaking."
Sailes said the family hasn't heard from the warden or ODRC about what happened. She said she's tried to call the warden, but her calls haven't been answered or returned.
"I just hope I can get justice for my baby, and I believe I will," Sailes said.
WCPO 9 News requested records for both prison employees as well as any investigation reports done related to Allen's death. We are still waiting for those records to be sent.
