A mother who is grieving shared her frustration about the lack of answers she has received regarding her son’s death while in custody in Texas City.
Rego Ornelas, 45, passed away on Monday morning at UTMB, according to reports.
ABC13 reached out to the Texas City PD to inquire about the charges he is facing, but as of now, no response has been received.
Ornelas was taken to the Galveston County Jail, but he was denied entry due to medical issues.
According to a statement released by the TCPD, the inmate needed emergency medical services while the officers were taking him back to the patrol unit. The inmate was then transported to the UTMB Emergency Room by ambulance, where he unfortunately passed away.
The family was informed about his death on Monday morning by a relative. However, they have not received any details regarding the cause of his death, and they have also been denied the opportunity to view his body.
“I want to know,” expressed Rachel, his mother. She felt a sense of urgency and frustration as she yearned for information. The waiting seemed interminable to her. “It’s just not fair. After all, I am his mother,” she remarked with a hint of exasperation.
She questions the timeline given by the police and believes that he should have received medical attention sooner.
Rachel expressed her frustration, stating, “There is no justice. Even when the truth is revealed, justice still eludes us. He has departed, and justice remains elusive.”
In 2017, ABC13 interviewed Rachel following the tragic murder of her youngest son, Roy. Shockingly, within just one year of losing her youngest child, Rachel also experienced the devastating loss of another one of her sons.
“I’m not supposed to outlive my kids,” Rachel lamented. “No parent should have to endure this unimaginable pain. It’s a wound that never heals, and my heart will never find true happiness until I am reunited with them in heaven.”
The manner and cause of death of Ornelas will be determined by the medical examiner’s office.
The Texas Rangers have confirmed that they are currently conducting an investigation into the death. This is a standard procedure for them, and once their findings are complete, they will hand them over to the district attorney’s office.
ABC13 has reached out to the Texas City PD for answers, but they have not provided specific information regarding the case.