At 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, Michael Garcia, a 47-year-old resident of Bakersfield, was discovered in his cell at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF) after an apparent suicide attempt. Correctional deputies found him and initiated rescue efforts until Emergency Medical Services arrived. Garcia was subsequently transported to the hospital by paramedics and is currently in critical condition.
Garcia had been held at HCCF since October 24 on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and battery. According to facility policy, deputies perform cell checks every 30 minutes. A check was completed at 5:38 p.m., and Garcia was found unresponsive 23 minutes later.
Following the incident’s seriousness, the county critical incident protocol was enacted. The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) was activated, with investigators from local law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s office responding to investigate. The investigation is ongoing, with updates expected in due course.
Upon completion of CIRT’s investigation, the Humboldt County District Attorney will review all evidence to determine if any criminal liability exists.
Individuals with information regarding this case or related criminal activity are encouraged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or use the Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
For updates from HCSO directly to your phone or email, subscribe to news alerts at humboldtsheriff.org/subscribe.
