ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WESH) — Libia Vargas De Dinas, a 72-year-old woman, said she remained calm and leaned on her faith to get her through those three days.
She told NBC affiliate WESH-2 it is something she wants to talk about when she’s ready to ensure something like this doesn’t happen to anyone else.
“I prayed to God that he would take care of my health, body, mind, soul and spirit,” Vargas De Dinas said.
Vargas De Dinas said by phone as she recovered in a hospital bed.
According to the incident report released by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, on Friday night around 9:30 p.m., the 72-year-old custodian was at the Orange County Courthouse cleaning when the inmate holding cell door shut behind her.
She was locked in.
Her janitorial cart and cell phone were outside the cell.
It was a moment she described as total despair.
“It was the weekend. No one would go up to the top floor. The 23rd floor, “she said.
She remained stuck until Monday morning.
For three nights, she had no food and only water she drank from a faucet above the toilet and slept on a bench.
On top of that, Vargas De Dedinas is diabetic.
The woman told officials she had not taken any insulin since before she was locked in the cell.
She believes it was her faith that kept her alive.
“My God, I know you are here with me,” Vargas De Dedinas said.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says deputies only patrol the courthouse during normal business hours.
That weekend, several security guards with Allied Security Services patrolled the area.
Orange County Government said there are no cameras in the holding cells.
In a statement, they said: “Upon hearing of the plight of the janitorial employee, Orange County has mandated that the security company walk every space within the janitorial footprint.”
Orange County also said that the automatic door closer has been removed to ensure this does not happen again.
WESH 2 reached out to Allied Security Services but has not heard back yet.
NBC2 News
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