New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said he's using new power as special prosecutor to investigate the death of Raynette Turner, 42, while in a police holding cell in Mount Vernon.
Schneiderman said Monday his office will take over the probe into what happened last week to the mother of eight.
Schneider is acting for the first time under Gov. Andrew Cuomo's order last month giving him authority in cases where people die in encounters with police.
Authorities said Turner was found dead two days after her arrest on a shoplifting charge. She had been returned to a police-controlled holding cell after throwing up in a court holding area July 27.
She had reported not feeling well the night before and was taken by ambulance to a hospital.
An autopsy has been performed by the Westchester Medical Examiner's Office on Turner. The cause of death is pending results of toxicology and microbiology tests, reported LoHud.com.
Turner 42, was awaiting arraignment on a shoplifting charge when she was found dead at about 2 p.m. on Monday.
She had allegedly stolen crab legs at a Restaurant Depot when she was arrested Saturday, said officials.
Turner's death comes as the national spotlight is on the death in Texas of a jailed woman earlier this month.
Authorities have ruled Sandra Bland's death a suicide.
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