Clayton County authorities have apprehended James Damonte Beasley, the inmate who escaped from Southern Regional Medical Center earlier this week. Beasley, 33, was initially under medical supervision when he managed to slip out of his restraints and evade capture last Saturday at around 5:20 a.m. FOX 5 Atlanta reports that he was brought to the hospital for unspecified medical treatment at about 3:00 a.m. that morning before his daring escape.
After successfully absconding from the hospital, Beasley cunningly changed into civilian attire and was believed to have hastily boarded a MARTA bus in his attempt to vanish into the city. His brief taste of freedom ended following a carjacking incident at the East Point MARTA station, where he coerced possession of a black Ford F-150. The subsequent chase ended with a crash, as 11Alive noted, resulting in his capture at approximately 12:35 p.m.
Beasley now faces a myriad of new charges extending across Clayton and Fulton counties. In Clayton County, he's charged with escape, entering an auto, and theft, while in Fulton County, he's accused of hit-and-run, theft of motor vehicle, robbery, and reckless driving. Previously, on March 18, Beasley was arrested for violation of probation related to a charge of theft and bringing stolen property to Georgia.
Officials have yet to unravel how Beasley managed to loosen and depart from his shackles. An internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding his escape and potential policy violations has been instated. According to Sheriff Levon Allen, as stated in FOX 5 Atlanta, "An internal investigation into the escape and related policy violations is currently underway, in conjunction with a pending disciplinary hearing for the involved officer." Details concerning how Beasley acquired civilian clothes or if he had aid from an officer or another individual in the escape are still murky.
Southern Regional Medical Center assured the community that they have reinforced security following the incident. "All areas around the hospital have been secured by law enforcement," a spokesperson for Southern Regional said. "The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority." No additional information has been released by the hospital to date.
