16-Year-Old Girl Died in Juvenile Detention Center Last Year, and Now 3 Guards Face Charges

Alexis Sluder.Photo:Alexis Marie/Facebook

Alexis Marie/Facebook

Five former employees of a juvenile detention center in Georgia have been indicted on child cruelty charges related to the death of a 16-year-old girl who died while in custody last year, authorities said.

In apress releaseon Sept. 1, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced that a grand jury in Whitfield County indicted the former director of Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center in Dalton, along with three guards and a nurse.

The indictment, which was handed down on Aug. 28, comes after the death of 16-year-old Alexis Sluder, an Ellijay girl who died while in custody on Aug. 27, 2022, the agency said.

In an emailed statement to PEOPLE on Sept. 11, citing a GBI medical examiner’s report, Whitfield County Coroner Clyde McDaniel Jr. confirmed Sluder died of methamphetamine toxicity and that her death was accidental.

Those charged in the indictment are: Maveis Brooks, Russell Ballard, Rebecka Phillips, Monica Headrick and David McKinney.

Brooks, 35, was a sergeant at the juvenile detention center, Ballard, 62, was a cadet and Phillips, 45, was an officer, per the release. Hedrick was a nurse at the facility and center and McKinney was its director.

The three guards — Brooks, Ballard, and Phillips — all face two counts of first-degree cruelty to children and one count of second-degree cruelty to children. Both Hedrick and McKinney are charged with one count of second-degree cruelty to children.

“Two previously terminated employees related to the incident and three others were still employed but are now terminated following the indictment,” the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice wrote in astatementfollowing the indictment.

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It’s unclear if the suspects have entered pleas or retained attorneys to speak on their behalf.

Sluder was a Gilmer High School student who enjoyed playing softball and competing in beauty pageants, according toher obituary.

source: people.com