Seaside Heights Man Dies in Ocean County Jail

An inmate at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River died in his jail cell this morning.

Philip Infantolino, 38, of Seaside Heights was found unresponsive by his cellmate, and the medical examiners are awaiting toxicology reports to determine the cause of death, officials said.

Infantolino was incarcerated since March 18, with bail set at $50,000. Seaside Heights police arrested and charged Infantolino with possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, obstruction, possession of a hypodermic needle, criminal mischief and resisting arrest.

Executive Assistant Prosecutor Michel Paulhus said Infantolino was housed with the general population of the and that his cellmate found him unresponsive as the inmates were preparing for breakfast.

"That's around 7 a.m.," Paulhus said. "The medical examiner submitted tests for certain toxicology" to determine the cause of death, he said. Those take six to eight weeks to process, Paulhus said. An autopsy was performed earlier today.

Paulhus was unsure of when the last inmate death had occurred. The newly-built jail in downtown Toms River expanded from its previous size to accommodate a larger population.

The death is being investigated by Detective Lieutenant Joseph Valenti and Detective Glen Amirr of the Correction’s Department’s Investigation Bureau, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminalistics Investigation Unit.