This week, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office announced that Morghan Elmore died from the virus.
The baby is in state custody, but the family is fighting for his grandson.
According to WTVC, Elmore looked like he was alive. She was 30 and had just given birth to her second child when she died.
“It’s devastating to say the least,” attorney Robin Flores said.
Elmore’s newborn will never know his mother. Flores works to make sure she is raised by the family.
“This new kid, we’re actively working to get that kid to pass them on,” Flores said. “This child herself is in poor condition.”
Elmore had an extensive criminal history, consisting primarily of misdemeanors. About two weeks ago, he landed in Silverdale on drug charges.
“It looks like someone who is pregnant and in these kinds of situations, there may have been something else for her,” Flores said.
WTVC specifically asked the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office what precautions, if any, are taken to keep pregnant women safe.
“Because she was pregnant, she gets the kind of visits, the extra special visits. So they monitor them very often,” Deputy Director Shawn Shephard told the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Hammond said it’s unclear if Elmore became infected when she was admitted to Silverdale.
“I can tell you she was a high-risk patient, not just because of the pregnancy, but because of the legal charges. I can’t say more,” Sheriff Hammond said.
Sheriff Hammond said Elmore is the first inmate arrested to die of COVID-19 and hopes to be the last.
However, the sheriff also said a couple is in poor condition.
The sheriff’s department said it is doing everything possible to extend the inmates. They said they offer masks, cleaning products and the vaccine.
However, Deputy Chief Shepard said less than half of the more than 1,100 inmates are vaccinated.
Elmore was not vaccinated against COVID-19.
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