Escaped Clayton County inmate changes clothes, boards bus, steals car: sheriff

Did deputy help inmate escape?

We're learning new details about the Clayton County inmate who escaped custody at the Southern Regional Medical Center in Georgia. Officials confirmed he was under an officer's supervision when it happened. Here's what we know so far.

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - A Clayton County inmate who reportedly escaped from Southern Regional Medical Center on Saturday has been found, according to the sheriff's office.

What we know:

The inmate was identified as James Damonte Beasley. The Clayton County Sheriff's Office said he was brought to the hospital at around 3 a.m. for medical treatment.

At around 5:20 a.m., they said he was able to free himself from handcuffs and shackles and escape.

It's believed that while on the run, Beasley changed into blue jeans and a blue shirt with white writing and boarded a MARTA bus.

Officers located him at the East Point MARTA Station. Officials said that's when he carjacked someone with a black Ford F-150 and got away.

After a brief chase, Beasley reportedly crashed the car.

He was taken back into custody at 12:35 p.m.

He now faces escape, entering auto and theft charges in Clayton County, as well as hit-and-run, theft of motor vehicle, robbery and reckless driving charges in Fulton County.

He was originally arrested this year on March 18 for violation of probation on a charge of theft and bringing stolen property to Georgia.

What we don't know:

It's still not clear yet why he was taken to the hospital, how he managed to get the handcuffs and restraints off and where he got the clothes he changed into.

What they're saying:

"All areas around the hospital have been secured by law enforcement," said a spokesperson for Southern Regional. "The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority."

"No further information will be issued by our hospital at this time."

Southern Regional Medical Center

With regard to the possibility that an officer assisted in Beasley's escape, Sheriff Levon Allen responded with the following:

"An internal investigation into the escape and related policy violations is currently underway, in conjunction with a pending disciplinary hearing for the involved officer."