Although foul play is not suspected in the Monday incident,state and local authorities are looking into the death of a19-year-old patient at the Juvenile Rehabilitation Facility.

Law enforcement and JRF officials said the Panola County client,who had been at the facility about six months, died Tuesday atKing’s Daughters Medical Center following a late Monday morningsituation at the facility on Brookman Drive Extension.

JRF Director Regina Terry said the client, who had a history ofself-abuse behavioral problems and seizures, stopped breathingaround 11:39 a.m. and staff members initiated CPR. The client wastaken to KDMC where he died Tuesday morning.

As required by law, the Attorney General’s office and localauthorities were notified, Terry said. AG officials, who wereunavailable for comment Wednesday morning, have begun aninvestigation, Terry said.

Lincoln County Sheriff Lynn Boyte and Assistant DistrictAttorney Jerry Rushing visited the facility Monday afternoon andviewed a tape of the incident. Boyte said the incident did notinvolve any JRF staff or other clients.

“It wasn’t anything that came about as a result of aconfrontation or anything. . .,” Boyte said. “Right now, it doesn’tlook like there was any foul play. It’s just a tragedy.”

Terry and Deputy Coroner Robert Tyler said there were no bruiseson the client, only some self-inflicted injuries to thefingers.

Coroner Morris Henderson said an autopsy was to be done today inJackson.

“We don’t think at this time it was foul play, but we are doinga full investigation,” Henderson said.

Terry said members of the client’s family returned home Tuesday.She said counseling assistance has been called to help staff andclients.

“The staff here are extremely upset, as well as the clients,”Terry said.

Terry said a crisis team from Southwest Mental Health Complexmet with clients to console and work with them Tuesday. Also, anemployee assistance program has been implemented to help staffmembers following the incident, she said.