Flagler Inmate Dies at Hospital Following Breathing Issue in Jail

BUNNELL – The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday that 54 year-old Michael Springman, an inmate at the county jail, had passed away due to a pre-existing health condition that flared up while he was in custody. The issue began to arise on Saturday, and on Sunday Springman was pronounced dead.

Springman was arrested earlier this month after a warrant was issued on the 8th for failure to appear in court regarding prior charges of controlled substance possession, driving with a suspended license, and drug paraphernalia possession. He was arrested on the 18th by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and held in jail there for six days before being extradited to Flagler County.

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Springman reportedly advised detention deputies and medical staff that he he was recently hospitalized in connection to health issues related to long-term drug use. A statement by the FCSO states that at this point, medical checkups were scheduled with increased frequency. One checkup went by on Saturday with no detected issue, but during the second one an hour later, Springman was having trouble breathing.

Flagler County Fire Rescue was called as jail medical staff treated Springman, and he was soon transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast, just east on SR-100, for further care. By Sunday, he had been placed on life support at the hospital. Next-of-kin were contacted and, after consultation with the attending physician, Springman’s family made the call to take him off life support. He passed away that day.

“So often, the local jails and prisons house the sickest population in the country, often caused by the significant use of illicit drugs and alcohol,” said Dan Engert, head of Court & Detention Services. “The death of Mr. Springman is truly unfortunate, however, the early medical screening provided upon arrival to our jail focused staff on his serious medical conditions. If not for this early detection, the family may not have been able to say goodbye to their loved one. We extend our sympathy and condolences to Mr. Springman’s family.”

A legally mandated clinical mortality review is being carried out, and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has been contacted for further comment on Springman’s precise cause of death.