Charges dropped in teen’s in custody death in Whitfield County

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Indictments have been dismissed against five former employees of the Dalton Youth Detention Center in a teenager’s death.

Attorneys for the family of Alexis Sluder say a Whitfield County judge dismissed those charges this week.

Sluder had died in custody at the detention facility in 20-22 at only 16 years old following an overdose.

Those attorneys from the Romanucci & Blandin law firm say in the following statement:

“The family of Alexis Sluder is devastated by the dismissal of the criminal indictments in her case. Officers at the Dalton Regional Youth Detention Center knew that this 16-year-old girl had ingested toxic substances and was exhibiting clear signs of a medical emergency. Yet instead of taking the most basic, life-saving step—calling 911—they stood by and watched as Alexis lay on the floor in agony for hours. They consciously chose to disregard what they knew would kill her. And it did.

After waiting three and a half years for this case to proceed to trial, those who loved Alexis are gutted by the dismissal of these indictments. Her family continues to grieve an unimaginable loss, but their pursuit of accountability is far from over. They will continue to seek justice through their pending civil rights claims in the Northern District of Georgia.”