Paragould, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder has announced the termination of three additional detention center employees in connection to the September death of 18-year-old inmate Atiyana Willis.
In a video update shared on Facebook, Snyder said that an ongoing internal investigation revealed three more employees had violated department policy, leading to their termination. Combined with the previously-fired nine jail employees, this brings the total number of fired employees up to 12. He noted that the mandatory training for detention officers has now been completed by the vast majority of the staff.
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Regarding the ongoing criminal investigation into Willis’s death, Snyder indicated he currently has no further information to share. He explained that Arkansas State Police (ASP) is handling the investigation, and any details regarding the official cause of death will be released by ASP once the requested autopsy is completed. Snyder promised to share those details as soon as they are made available.
These new terminations come after a federal civil rights lawsuit filed against Snyder and ten unnamed jail employees on behalf of Willis’s estate. The lawsuit alleges that “systemic policy failures” and a deliberate refusal to provide proper medical care led to the 18-year-old’s death.
Specifically, the complaint argues that the Greene County jail maintained a widespread custom of requiring Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to practice outside their legal scope. The plaintiffs allege that Willis showed obvious signs of medical distress, but unqualified staff made medical decisions rather than referring her to a registered nurse or summoning emergency services.
This is a developing story. JRN will provide updates as they are available.
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