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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

An inmate has died in the Chilton County jail of an apparent suicide.

Jason Fred Howell, 36, had been arrested on charges of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 and two counts of sodomy first degree.

The Chilton County Sheriff’s Office stated, “On Oct. 9 at approximately 12 p.m. Chilton County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officers discovered that a male inmate housed at the Chilton County jail had died while in custody of an apparent suicide … Corrections Officers called for emergency medical assistance; however, the inmate was pronounced dead at the scene. The inmate was housed by himself at the time of the incident. The inmates next of kin have been notified of the death an investigation in ongoing.”

An autopsy will be conducted, and the investigation into the death is being conducted by and outside law enforcement agency.