Benton County coroner John Hansens (pictured) plans to autopsy the 18-year-old gang member who died early Friday morning in a protective cell at the Benton County Jail.

Mark Anthony Moreno had been arrested March 3 on numerous outstanding warrants stemming from both Kennewick and Pasco. A documented gang member, he was found dead in a protective, or padded cell around 7:30am last Friday. He was under 30-minute surveillance checks, standard procedure for inmates who are disruptive or appear to be harmful to themselves or others.

Officials now say he refused to eat, or sleep, sometimes for several days, and was combative and disruptive during his arrest and while in jail, however, force was not used during his arrest.

His family claims Moreno is bi-polar and suffered from schizophrenia. Jail officials say in addition to the 30-minute welfare checks, he was also assessed daily by county jail mental health professionals.

According to our news partner KNDU-TV, the autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday. Jail officials say suicide does not appear to be the cause of his death. While in the protective cell, Moreno had no access to any clothing, sheets or other materials he could have used to kill himself.

Despite his close attention and care in the jail, his family led a small protest outside the Benton County Justice center Monday, claiming not enough was done to prevent his death.

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