CLALLAM BAY – An Olalla woman has been arrested and booked into the Clallam County jail in connection with the Aug. 13 death of a prisoner at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center, according to the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Task Force.
Lauren N. Smith, 40, was arrested on Thursday for investigation of several felonies, including controlled substances homicide, delivery of a controlled substance and introducing second-degree introducing contraband, the release stated.
According to the state RCW, “controlled substance homicide” is when a person “unlawfully delivers a controlled substance, which is used by the person to whom it was delivered and results in the death of the user.”
Clallam Bay staff called in “advanced lift support/CPR in progress” at about 6 p.m. Aug. 13 for an inmate who was not breathing, according to an Aug. 15 email from Clallam County Sheriff Brian King.
The inmate, later identified as 32-year-old Yakima resident Kody L. Swearngin, was declared deceased by the medical staff and a Clallam County deputy arrived about 7 p.m. that night to begin the death investigation, the OPNET release stated.
A deputy coroner with the Clallam County Coroner’s Office arrived and took evidence samples from the prisoner that later tested positive for methamphetamine, OPNET said.
Investigators from the Department of Corrections Investigation and Intelligence Unit reviewed records and video surveillance that revealed Smith had visited Swearngin just hours prior to his death, the release stated. Further review of video showed Smith provided Swearngin with a small package, which he swallowed, the release added.
An autopsy was performed on Aug. 16 and the package was recovered from Swearngin’s stomach, according to the release. A preliminary test came back positive for methamphetamine. More in-depth laboratory testing is pending.
Investigators located Smith on Aug. 24 at a residence in the 15500 block of Cedar Park Road SE in Olalla,they said, adding that when she refused to exit, detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and arrested her without further incident.
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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at brian.gawley@soundpublishing.com.
