NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County sheriff’s officials say they’re investigating claims a jail nurse wouldn’t help police render medical aid to an unconscious inmate.
Sandy Springs police told Channel 2's Mike Petchenik they arrested Wayman Keller, Jr. Wednesday night after getting reports of a suspicious person a 911 caller said had been knocking on her door.
“The officers approached, were able to detain the subject and investigated what was going on,” Sgt. Sam Worsham said. “During the investigation, officers located a crack pipe and a knife in the person’s pocket.”
Police arrested Keller Jr. and took him to the North Fulton Jail Annex in Alpharetta.
TRENDING STORIES:
- ARRESTED: Teens accused of attacking, raping woman in front of son
- 11 passengers removed from flight for disruptive behavior, airline says
- ICE targets convicted criminals living illegally in Georgia
“At some point in time, maybe even prior to the officer’s contact with this person, he may have ingested some narcotics,” Worsham said. “The person became unresponsive and had labored breathing at the jail.”
An incident report Petchenik obtained, written by an Alpharetta officer indicated that Sandy Springs police reached out to jail staff prior to their arrival that Keller, Jr. was having issues.
“Two jailers and the jail nurse came out and when they saw the subject’s condition, the nurse said he needed to go to the hospital and went back inside without rendering aid to Keller, who was unconscious and unresponsive,” the report said.
“The officer called for an ambulance to come medically treat,” Worsham said. “Two Alpharetta officers responded to the location and administered Narcan.
It was not real effective so the person was taken to North Fulton Hospital for treatment.”
Keller’s father, Wayman Allen Keller Sr., told Petchenik he thinks the nurse should have helped his son.
“Anybody that needs medical help needs to be given medical help, whether they’re inmates, whether they don’t have medical insurance,” he told Petchenik. “If you’re sick and someone can help you, then they need to be helped.”
Fulton County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Tracy Flanagan told Petchenik the incident was under investigation. She said in general, the jail won’t accept an inmate with medical issues unless a doctor clears them.
Keller Sr. said he hopes the sheriff gets to the bottom of what happened with his son.
“If protocol was not taken, then action needs to be taken,” he said.
Police told Petchenik they issued Keller Jr. a ticket. He was discharged from the hospital Thursday and was given a court date to answer to misdemeanor charges.