Convicted sex offender commits suicide in jail

1-15-2008 Florida:

LAKE WALES – Polk County authorities say a convicted sex offender apparently committed suicide in his jail cell early Tuesday morning.

Deputies say 26-year-old David Spalding was found dead in his jail cell. They say he hung himself with a sheet sometime during the early morning hours, and he was discovered when a detention deputy found him during medication rounds at about 2:00 a.m.

Attempts by deputies to revive Spalding were unsuccessful, and he was taken to Lake Wales Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to authorities, the other two inmates that were in the cell with Spalding at the time did not know he had hung himself.

Spalding was in jail after a violation of probation. He was arrested back in April of 2006 on charges of sexual battery on a child. Investigators say he sexually battered a 14-year-old girl and got her pregnant. He pled guilty in August of 2006, and served six month in jail.

Deputies say Spalding was also sentenced to 10 years probation, which he violated earlier this month. They say he failed to move from his previous residence, and he admitted to contact with children under 18—both of which were violations of his probation.

Authorities say Spalding's death is still under investigation. ..more.. by MyFox TV



Convicted Child Sex Offender Commits Apparent Suicide in Jail Cell1-15-2008 Florida

David Spalding, DOB 2/14/1981, last known home address -2009 North Combee Road, was found in his jail cell after hanging himself with a sheet this morning, Tuesday, January 15, 2008.

Spalding was first booked into jail April 6, 2006 with Three Counts of Sexual Battery Charges on a Child. He sexually battered and impregnated a 14 year old child.

At approximately 2:16 am, this morning, during routine medication rounds, detention deputies discovered Spalding unresponsive. Two other inmates were in the cell with him and were unaware that Spalding had hung himself.

Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. He was transported to Lake Wales Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:45 am.

Spalding had been released on a $25,000.00 Surety Bond April 8, 2006. The Three Sexual Battery Charges were merged on June 3, 2006. On August 21, 2006, Count 2 of the 3 was Nolle Prosse.

Spalding pled guilty and waived jury trial. He was remanded and sentenced to six months in jail, plus 10 years probation on September 8, 2006. Spalding was released with time served on February 4, 2007.

He was arrested January 3, 2008 for Violating Probation. He had failed to move from his residence and admitted to contact with children under 18. Both were violations of the conditions of his probation.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting an internal review and is conducting the death investigation. The Polk County Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy. The State Attorney’s Office will review all investigations. ..more.. by