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Family of Cameron County inmate found dead in jail cell demands answers

By: Stefany Rosales

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A Valley family in mourning says they want answers after their loved one was found dead in her Cameron County jail cell.

25-year-old Jacqueline Barocio was in custody at the Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center when she was found dead early Saturday morning. 

Jacqueline’s family says she was in jail on charges of aggravated assault and possession of drugs.

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“We thought she would be safe there, but… she's dead now,” Jacqueline’s mother — Veronica Aguilera — said. 

Jacqueline’s sister and Aguilera said they got a call from the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office informing them of her death. When they asked what happened, they said they were told “she had passed away this morning, and he had no information to give us."

Esmeralda Barocio says she spoke with Jacqueline the night before, and she had been in pain from her wisdom tooth. Aguilera said Jacqueline had been dealing with this problem for two months, but the guards wouldn’t get her medical attention.

A nurse at the infirmary gave her antibiotics.

“But she told her, ‘to be honest with you, you have it really infected,’” Esmeralda recalled. “My mom was saying, ‘they should have taken her to the hospital.’"

Jacqueline was found dead the following morning just before 7 a.m. on Oct. 21. An autopsy was ordered, and the Texas Rangers are investigating her death.

“She has a family, and we are going to do something,” Esmeralda said. “We want to know everything. We don't want it to be anything that they hide from us."

Channel 5 News reached out to the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office for comment. They did not respond as of Tuesday evening.

Jacqueline Barocio leaves behind a 1-year-old and a 6-year-old child.

Watch the video above for the full story.

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