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Chelsea Adolphus was found Thursday atop the Vista Medical
Center in Waukegan, Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said in a
news release.
Adolphus, of Waukegan, was admitted to the center about 4 a.m.
Wednesday for an unspecified medical issue. She was noted
missing from her room at 2 a.m. Thursday and found on the roof
almost seven hours later. Waukegan’s overnight low temperature
was well below freezing during that time.
Staff at the facility spent 14 hours trying to resuscitate and
warm Adolphus, said Banek, who added that the woman's body
temperature was about 50 degrees F (10 degrees C).
Adolphus was pronounced dead about 11 p.m. Thursday. Banek said
the coroner's office was contacted about 10 minutes later. The
coroner's office said it notified Waukegan police “of the
unusual circumstances” and an investigation has been launched.
The autopsy was performed Friday. Results of toxicology tests on
the body are pending.
“American Healthcare Systems and the Vista Medical leadership
team has been issued a preservation letter by my office ensuring
all paper, video, digital and electronic evidence is not
destroyed, overwritten, or deleted,” Banek said in the release.
Kevin M. Spiegel, president and chief executive of Vista Health
System, said the preservation letter is part of normal procedure
and that “all records are saved in the regular course of
business.”
“We have reported the incident to the state and regulatory
agencies and are cooperating fully with them, as well as local
law enforcement,” Spiegel said. “It is critical for the
community, for the patient’s family and for all parties involved
that a robust and unbiased investigation takes place.”
He added that because of the ongoing investigation and patient
privacy regulations, specific health information about Adolphus
will not be disclosed.
“We deeply regret the incident,” Spiegel said. “Our sincere
condolences go out to the family during this difficult time.”
Waukegan is about 46 miles (74 kilometers) north of Chicago.
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