Paso Robles teen dies in SLO County crisis stabilization facility
Teen was admitted because of a drug overdose
– A Paso Robles teen died at a San Luis Obispo County mental health facility in May, though it would be hours before anyone noticed, according to a report by Cal Coast News.
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Tony Cipolla confirmed the details. Elina Branco, 19, died on May 16 at 8:57 a.m. at the county’s crisis stabilization unit, located at 2180 Johnson Ave. in San Luis Obispo.
On May 15, emergency medical personnel transported Branco to French Hospital Medical Center because of a drug overdose. At the hospital, medical personnel administered multiple doses of Narcan. Twelve hours later, at 1 p.m., medical staff transported Branco to the San Luis Obispo County Crisis Stabilization Unit, the Cal Coast report says.
Staff members expressed concerns over Branco’s admission to the unit due to her medical issues. A supervisor allegedly said she would sleep it off and that they would check on her in the morning. Two day shift workers arrived at 7:30 a.m. the next morning, and at 9 a.m., an employee reportedly noticed Branco was not breathing and that her body was cold. The employee called for the defibrillator, but the battery was dead. Branco did not survive.
Click here to view the Cal Coast News Story.
“The cause of death and circumstances are still being investigated,” says Cipolla.
