WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) — New details were released after a woman died hours after being found on the roof of a Waukegan hospital.
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Chelsea Adolphus, 28, was identified as the woman who died at Vista Medical Center East last week.
On Monday, Lake County, Illinois Coroner Jennifer Banek released more information regarding Adolphus’ death.
Hospital personnel found Adolphus on the roof of the second floor on Thursday morning, Banek said.
Banek mentioned that a video captured Adolphus leaving her room at approximately 2 a.m. on Thursday. Seven hours later, she was discovered on a roof, clad in only a hospital gown.
The coroner said the victim’s body temperature was about 50 degrees when she was found.
Hospital staff attempted to resuscitate her for 14 hours, until she was pronounced dead around 11 p.m., according to Banek.
Banek voiced her concerns on the hospital’s ability to care for patients. She cited how the hospital lost their trauma designation last year.
“American Healthcare Systems needs to be responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe and high-quality healthcare to Waukegan and the neighboring areas,” Banek emphasized. “They have consistently failed by not meeting their financial commitments to suppliers, healthcare providers, the City of Waukegan for water bill payments, as well as owing $1 million in back taxes.”
Adolphus’ death was due to hypothermia as a result of cold exposure, according to the preliminary autopsy results from the coroner’s office.
ABC7 has yet to receive a response to a request for comment from the hospital.
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