Chris Watts, the man accused ofkilling his pregnant wife and two young daughters, is under suicide watch in jail — and is under constant surveillance to ensure that he doesn’t harm himself.
A source at the Weld County Jail confirmed to HLN’sCrime & Justice with Ashleigh Banfieldthat the 33-year-old murder defendant is under “Close Watch Protocol” — a technical name for suicide watch. PEOPLE has independently confirmed the report.
Under Close Watch Protocol, Watts spends 23 hours a day in his jail cell, where he sits in protective custody. He does not have a cellmate.
Guards must check on Watts every 10-15 minutes to ensure his well-being and must make visual contact with him. Additionally, Watts is not allowed the same privileges as other people at the jail, including no access to weights, reading material and television.
Chris Watts.Joshua Polson/AP/REX/Shutterstock
In addition to being physically searched several times per day, each day there is a complete cell inspection to ensure that Watts is not hiding any contraband that would allow him to harm himself.
According to a source who has spoken with Watts, the severity of the situation isbeginning to sink in.
Watts was arrested on Aug. 15 andcharged with first-degree murder, among other crimes,in the deaths of his wife and daughters.
They were reported missing on Aug. 13 and their bodieswere found on the property of Chris’ former employer Anadarko Petroleumnot long after he was taken into custody. Anadarko fired Chris the same day as his arrest.
However, the affidavit shows, Chris allegedly said he only strangled his wife after watching her kill 3-year-old daughter Celeste when he told her he wanted to separate.
Chris has not yet entered a plea. His lawyer did not respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment but,according to a statementfrom the state’s public defender’s office, their attorneys are barred from discussing ongoing criminal cases.
source: people.com
