Crockett County Judge Gives Update on Health Scare at Ozona Courthouse

OZONA, TX — Crockett County Judge Fred Deaton gave an update on the health scare at the Crocket County Courthouse Annex that happened Monday.

He said Tuesday morning that the county is still awaiting words from the Texas Department of Health in El Paso for information about if the two illnesses are related to the workplace.

According to the Ozona Stockman, two county officials fell ill with similar symptoms. Crockett County Treasurer Karen Webb died and Crockett County Justice of the Peace Evelyn Kerbow was airlifted to a burn unit in Lubbock with similar symptoms as Webb.

Later Monday night, the Ozona Stockman seemed to backtrack on their original report, suggesting that Kerbow, the one currently hospitalized, fell ill from an allergic reaction that was not related to the illness that took Webb’s life. They quoted unnamed family members of Kerbow.

Deaton said he has been told that Kerbow is going to pull through. “I think she’s okay. I don’t believe the two illnesses are related,” he said.

Closing the annex was a precaution, Keaton said. “I’m not a medical official. I err on the side of caution and allow the experts on this advise me on what to do,” he said.

The location of the Crockett County Courthouse Annex:

The Judge said the medical examiners are combing over the medical records as part of their investigation. He said he expects to hear from the State of Texas officials later Tuesday.

Until then, the courthouse annex is closed in Ozona. Late Monday, Judge Deaton announced the annex building was closed until health officials resolved the concern for the county.

Ozona is 84 miles southwest of San Angelo, TX.