Inmate Dies Of COVID-19 Complications: Harford County Authorities

BEL AIR, MD — A Harford County jail inmate died at a hospital Friday after contracting COVID-19, according to authorities.

Tina Marie Billings, 44, of Whiteford, was pronounced dead about 12:46 a.m. at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Billings was transferred to the hospital Wednesday after she and two other inmates tested positive for COVID-19, but her condition continued to deteriorate, according to the sheriff’s office.

Her death is thought to be due to pneumonia brought on by the virus, and MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant staph infection, the sheriff’s office said, noting the other two inmates with COVID-19 have had minor or no symptoms.

Detectives with the sheriff’s office will lead an inquiry into Billings’ death, according to authorities.

Billings was booked Aug. 5 into the county jail on charges including second- and fourth-degree burglary, forgery, malicious destruction of property and theft, the sheriff’s office said.

While incarcerated, she was served additional charges related to theft, credit card fraud, and rogue and vagabond, according to the sheriff’s office, which said Billings was being held without bond at the time of her death.