The dragnet tightens as a second person is arrested for allegedly aiding a Newton County escapee. Diamante Seymour, 30, of Garden City, found himself under arrest, booked on charges of helping 34-year-old Kendrick Hurst flee from a hospital lockdown. Seymour's arrest follows just days after 49-year-old Gerald Harper of Oxford was arrested for complicity in the same breakout, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
With a list of charges that reads like a crime novel, Hurst's escapade triggered an extensive manhunt. His freedom was cut short when law enforcement captured him on Friday in Wake County, North Carolina. He now faces a slew of allegations, including escape, reckless driving, and terroristic threats, as per FOX 5 Atlanta.
Sheriff Ezell Brown has taken a zero-tolerance stance on those assisting in Hurst’s flight. "The Newton County Sheriff’s Office will not leave any stone unturned during this ongoing investigation," Sheriff Brown said in a statement obtained by WSB-TV. He underlined the consequences of aiding an escapee, noting that any form of assistance will lead to arrest and charges.
The two accused of helping the jailbird escape could face serious penalties if found guilty. Seymour and Harper are charged with aiding someone to escape lawful custody, which is a felony. Investigations are ongoing, and more people might be caught up in aiding a fugitive as the sheriff's office continues to investigate.
