By Michael O. Allen, Record Staff Writer | Sunday, April 26, 1992
The Record (New Jersey) | All Editions | NEWS | A03
A 34-year-old Elizabeth woman was under observation at Bergen Pines County Hospital on Saturday after an apparent suicide attempt at the Bergen County Jail Annex.
The woman, who was identified by Westwood police as Linda Ferchinger, tried to hang herself Monday night, said Nancy Feldman, director of the state Office of Inmate Advocacy.
Feldman said she did not know if Ferchinger was under a suicide watch at the time. An investigator will interview her Monday.
Sheriff Jack Terhune, who has declined to comment, said Saturday that Ferchinger was no longer the responsibility of his department because she had been released on $500 personal recognizance bail.
Bergen County Prosecutor John J. Fahy said Friday that his office had downgraded the theft charge against Ferchinger to a disorderly person offense and returned the case to the Municipal Court.
Terhune said authorities in Union and Sommerset counties want Ferchinger for violating probation and would be able to pick her up as soon as she is released from the hospital.
The suicide try was the second in two months by an inmate in the custody of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department. Four inmates have committed suicide in the past year.
In March, George Kellam, a 25-year-old fugitive who surrendered to authorities, slashed his wrist in a holding cell at the Bergen County Courthouse. He had been waiting to be transferred to the jail.
The Queens man was stopped by sheriff’s officers and was taken to Bergen Pines. He was in the Bergen County Jail Annex on Friday awaiting sentencing on drug possession charges.
Westwood Lt. Robert Saul said Ferchinger was arrested April 17 and charged with stealing jewelry from a resident.
ID: 17375485 | Copyright © 1992, The Record (New Jersey)
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