FCSO Investigating Inmate Death

Bunnell, FL - The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is investigating their inmate health care provider and their staff to find out what led to an inmate dying in their custody.

In the first week of February (February 8th), 23-year-old Anthony Fennick (Right) became brain dead following a medical episode he had suffered while at Flagler County Jail.

Fennick ended up passing away the next day (February 9th), after his breathing machine was turned off at AdventHealth Palm Coast.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly spoke on WNDB's Marc Bernier Show earlier today (February 18th), and said that FCSO is now investigating where it all went wrong regarding Fennick's condition.

Sheriff Staly told Marc that he couldn't reveal all the details about the investigation, but he could offer some insight.

According to Staly, FCSO originally asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to head the investigation, but the department ended up declining the request saying it didn't meet their criteria.

Staly says that's because Fennick didn't die in Flagler County Jail, but instead in the hospital.

"So I ordered an investigation," said Staly.

However, FDLE sent an agent to inspect Fennick following his death to make sure no foul play was involved.

This investigation, according to Staly, will look at the events leading up to Fennick's death, the jail's health care provider and the Flagler County Sheriff Office.

"We're looking to see if there were mistakes made by the contractor, and if there are then I'm certainly going to deal with that," said Staly. "And if there were mistakes made by our staff, I'm certainly going to deal with that also.

FCSO hired their current provider a year ago with the hopes of having 24/7 care in their facility.

Other reports surrounding Fennick's death show that he complained for a few days that he had a high fever and didn't feel well, but still did not receive any care.

"There's nothing that I can say to the family that will lessen their pain," Staly said to Bernier. "What I can promise them is a thorough and transparent investigation."

Staly also hopes that this investigation does not escalate to a criminal investigation. No other details were revealed other than the investigation could take a few months to complete.

A GoFundMe page was set up by Fennick's family to cover his funeral costs.