An 18-year-old woman from Forrest City died Tuesday after experiencing a medical emergency at the Greene County Detention Center, according to Arkansas State Police. Authorities identified the inmate as Atiyana Willis.
Sheriff Brad Snyder stated that Willis suffered the medical episode on Sept. 22. "On-site medical staff and detention personnel performed CPR until fire and EMS personnel arrived and took over," Snyder said in a press release. Willis was transported to the Baptist Paragould emergency room, where she was pronounced dead at 12:01 p.m.
According to Arkansas State Police Deputy Communications Director Nick Genty, Willis will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. Snyder noted that the Arkansas State Police have been requested to investigate the incident, citing standard procedure for situations of this nature. Inquiries are being directed to ASP headquarters in Little Rock.
Court records indicate that Willis was arrested on Sept. 8 after failing to appear on a theft-by-receiving firearm charge. She had initially been taken into custody by Arkansas State Police on July 10 during a hit-and-run investigation in Jonesboro. Records also show that on July 20, the Jonesboro Police Department sought an order for Willis' involuntary commitment, alleging she was a mentally ill person. A 45-day involuntary commitment order was signed on July 30.