A Clarke County jail inmate fled from the hospital, and his hospital gown, when he escaped during a recent doctor’s visit.
The inmate was experiencing medical issues, says the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). A deputy transported him from the jail to Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital Saturday afternoon for treatment.
After going through the initial intake process, the inmate was dressed in a hospital gown. While he was being removed from restraints for testing, he pushed the female deputy and ran for the door.
“She grabbed him by the gown, but he wiggled free by working his way out of the gown,” says CCSO Public Information Officer Keith Sims.
The inmate then ran naked down the hall and eventually out of the hospital with the deputy and hospital staff pursuing him, says Sims.
Soon after, Athens-Clarke County 911 started getting calls from stunned passersby who reported seeing a male running naked on Prince Avenue.
Another deputy and Athens-Clarke County police officer responded to the scene and apprehended the escapee. They returned him to jail without further incident, according to Sims.
The deputy the inmate pushed was treated for minor injuries to her head and shoulder. Authorities did not release the inmate’s name or details about prior charges but did say he now faces an additional charge of obstruction.
