Conflicting Stories Emerge Over Hospitalized Henry County Inmate

Mother alleges abuse and neglect, Sheriff denies claims and defends staff actions

Feb. 6, 2026 at 4:23pm

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A grieving mother's plea for answers and a Sheriff's firm defense have created two starkly different narratives surrounding the hospitalization of a Henry County inmate, Nicholas Gulley II. While Gulley's family says he was the victim of physical abuse and medical neglect in the jail, the Sheriff maintains that Gulley received proper care and that his critical condition is the result of pre-existing health issues, not jail misconduct.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between inmates, their families, and law enforcement over the treatment of incarcerated individuals. It raises questions about transparency, accountability, and the quality of medical care provided in county jails, especially when there are conflicting accounts of what transpired.

The details

Nicholas Gulley II was arrested on January 9 for criminal trespass and is currently on life support at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. His mother, Amanda, claims that despite repeated calls to the jail, she was told Gulley was "fine" even as reports filtered out that he was in physical distress. She alleges Gulley suffered two broken ribs and other serious medical issues due to an incident with jail staff. However, Henry County Sheriff John Sproles has firmly denied these accusations, stating that the facility's security cameras and officer body cams show no evidence of abuse. Sproles maintains that the only physical contact occurred when Gulley "actively resisted" being moved to a medical observation cell, and that X-rays revealed no broken bones or ribs. The Sheriff also cited Gulley's pre-existing health conditions, including cancer, as contributing factors to his current critical state.

  • Gulley was arrested on January 9.
  • On January 13, four days after the incident, X-rays were taken following Gulley's complaint of pain.
  • Gulley was transported to the hospital on January 18 due to "difficulty breathing."
  • On February 4, Gulley was "lifelined" to Indianapolis and diagnosed with several serious medical issues.

The players

Nicholas Gulley II

The Henry County inmate who is currently on life support at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

Amanda

Gulley's mother, who is pleading for answers and alleging abuse and neglect of her son while he was incarcerated.

Sheriff John Sproles

The Henry County Sheriff who has firmly denied the accusations of abuse and neglect, stating that Gulley's critical condition is the result of pre-existing health issues, not jail misconduct.

Randy Howard

A certified police defensive tactics instructor and candidate for Sheriff, who has challenged the Sheriff's "perception management" and argued that the injuries and procedures are not consistent with the video evidence.

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What they’re saying

“No matter what anybody has done, they don't deserve to lay there like that.”

— Amanda, Gulley's mother

“At no time was Mr. Gulley ever hit, and most certainly never beaten by anyone including jail staff.”

— Sheriff John Sproles

“As I saw the film that Mr. [Sproles] released, the things that he's alleging… appears that they used the proper amount of force in the video. However, if you look at the injuries and the procedures they follow, they're not consistent… Anyone with common sense would know there's a lot of things in this instance that's amiss.”

— Randy Howard, Certified police defensive tactics instructor and candidate for Sheriff

What’s next

The Indiana State Police are investigating the public accusations against the Henry County Sheriff's Department. The case remains ongoing as Nicholas Gulley II continues to receive treatment in the ICU.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring transparency and accountability in the treatment of incarcerated individuals, especially when there are conflicting accounts from the family and law enforcement. It underscores the need for independent oversight and thorough investigations to determine the truth and prevent future incidents of potential abuse or neglect.