No foul play discovered in investigation of inmate death at Putnam County Jail

Monday, September 22, 2025 at 9:57 AM

By Staff report

At the request of Putnam County Sheriff Jerrod Baugh, detectives from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post are investigating an inmate death that occurred at the Putnam County Jail.

On Wednesday, while conducting routine checks of the jail cells, jail officers located an unresponsive inmate. Jail staff immediately rendered medical aid and requested emergency medical services; however, the inmate was deceased.

An autopsy was performed with the findings indicating no foul play.

The Putnam County Coroner’s Office has positively identified the inmate as Joshua Smith, 42, of Terre Haute.

The investigation is being conducted by Indiana State Police detectives Colton Maynor, James Crisp, and Daniel Magnabosco with the assistance of CSI Sgt. Michael Organ of the Putnamville State Police District.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation.