An inmate has died while in custody at the Rockdale County jail. Jamie Henry, 40, died on Saturday night.
According to the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, she was discovered unresponsive by jail deputies and medical staff during a routine cell check. She was taken to Piedmont Rockdale Hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later. Her body has been sent to the GBI for an autopsy.
This is the second Rockdale County inmate death in less than three months. In March, 22-year-old Shali Tilson died. The GBI conducted and autopsy and determined he died of pulmonary thrombi due to dehydration. Mawuli Davis, the attorney representing Tilson’s family, wants a criminal investigation done in the case.
"At this point, our first focus is to make sure someone is criminally prosecuted for the fact that their son was killed in Rockdale County custody," said Davis.
Davis says this second death should have citizens of Rockdale County very concerned.
"Anytime you die in custody, when somebody is supposed to be watching you every fifteen minutes, that should be alarming and disturbing for the entire community," said Davis.
Davis says the death of Tilson, who had been in jail on obstruction and disorderly conduct charges, could've been prevented.
"We're clear that this was preventable, that he did not have to die. We're unclear as to whether the training is not adequate or there was just not adequate supervision. But Shali Tilson did not have to die," said Davis.
Davis says this is not just a problem for Rockdale County.
"We're at a critical point all across Georgia. In jails across Georgia, people are dying because those with mental health are not being properly taken care of. And that's what we have seen in the Shali Tilson case," said Davis.
Davis says from the information they've gathered so far, Tilson was having a mental health crisis and his death was preventable.
Davis says they'll hold a press conference later this week to discuss the case further.
The sheriff's office could not be reached for comment.