A woman died in the Adams County Jail on Monday.

According to Sheriff Patten, around 3:00 p.m., 37-year-old Lacey Handjis was transported from Montgomery County by another law enforcement agency to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office to be held for an Order of Commitment.

Authorities said that Lacey had been acting erratic for the past 2 weeks in Montgomery County and the family was trying desperately to get her help.

After being told in Montgomery County that she could not be committed in Montgomery County because she was not a resident, other arrangements were made by the Adams County Chancery Court to have her transported to Adams County for a chancery hearing, in an attempt to get her help due to the possible harm that she could have done to herself.

Handjis was placed in a padded holding cell that is checked by both guards and deputies during rounds.

These cells are also under 24-hour surveillance. Just before breakfast was about to be served at 6:50 am, she was found unresponsive by guards making rounds.

AMR was called to the scene but the Lacey Handjis had already died.

The cause of death is undetermined at this time pending the report from the medical examiner.

The coroner was called to the scene and took possession of the body and an autopsy was requested to determine the actual cause of death.

The family has been notified and this case is under investigation.

“Our heart aches for this family. This is a stark reminder of what I have said time and time again. People who are suffering from mental health conditions do not belong in a jail, mental health consumers belong in a proper facility.”