Jones County Inmate Escapes During Medical Treatment, Later Recaptured

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A 35-year-old inmate from Jones County, Georgia named Daniel Garrett escaped custody while receiving medical treatment at a hospital on Saturday morning. Garrett was initially taken from the county jail to a mental health facility, River Edge, before complaining of chest pains and being transported to two different hospitals. After being released from medical care, Garrett's whereabouts became unknown, prompting a search. He was later found in downtown Macon and taken back into custody by the sheriff's office.

Why it matters

Inmate escapes from custody, even during medical treatment, raise concerns about security protocols and the potential risks to public safety. This incident will likely prompt the Jones County Sheriff's Office to review its procedures for transporting and monitoring inmates, especially those receiving outside medical care.

The details

According to the Jones County Sheriff's Office, Daniel Garrett escaped custody overnight on Saturday while receiving treatment for 'mental health issues' at River Edge, a mental health facility. Garrett was then transported to Piedmont Hospital and later to Atrium Health Navicent after complaining of chest pains. After being treated and released from the hospital, Garrett's whereabouts became unknown to authorities.

• Overnight on Saturday, Garrett escaped custody while receiving treatment at River Edge.
• Garrett was later found in downtown Macon later on Saturday morning.

What’s next

The Jones County Sheriff's Office will likely review its protocols for transporting and monitoring inmates who require outside medical care to prevent future escapes.