5 former Dept. of Juvenile Justice employees indicted for in-custody death of 16-year-old in 2022 in Dalton
(PAIGE REID)
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. - On Aug. 28, a Whitfield County Grand Jury issued indictment warrants for several current and former Department of Juvenile Justice employees in connection with the in-custody death of Alexis Sluder, a 16-year-old from Ellijay, who passed away while in the custody of the Dalton Youth Detention Center in Dalton.
The individuals facing charges are as follows:
Maveis Brooks, 35, of Calhoun – 2 counts of first-degree cruelty to children and 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children.
Russell Ballard, 62, of Chatsworth – 2 counts of first-degree cruelty to children and 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children.
Rebecka Phillips, 45, of Chatsworth – 2 counts of first-degree cruelty to children and 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children.
Monica Hedrick, 62, of Ringgold – 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children.
David McKinney, 53, of Rome – 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children.
The indictment comes after a thorough investigation initiated by the Dalton Police Department, who requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to look into the circumstances surrounding Alexis Sluder's death. The incident occurred on Aug. 27, 2022, at approximately 4 a.m. while Sluder was in the custody of the Dalton Youth Detention Center.
Local law enforcement agencies, including the Dalton Police Department and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, cooperated closely with the GBI during the investigation. The Whitfield County District Attorney's office will be responsible for prosecuting this case.
The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice issued the following statement:
Earlier this week, a Conasauga Judicial Circuit grand jury indicted five persons related to the 2022 death of a detainee at the Dalton area detention center. Two previously terminated employees related to the incident and three others were still employed but are now terminated following the indictment. DJJ is committed to the well-being and safety of the individuals entrusted to our care. We remain deeply saddened by this tragic incident and continue to hold heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the family of the deceased.