INMATE FALLS: Four Stories From Jail Roof

A 21-year old Webster County Jail inmate is in the hospital after plunging 40-feet from the roof of the jail. Authorities say it happened when he tried to escape through a door that apparently had not been properly secured. “(He) pushed against the door and it popped open a little bit, backed off a little bit probably and decided to bolt out the door and the jailer just couldn’t catch him.” explains Chief Deputy James Stubbs of the Webster County Sheriff’s Dept.

21-year old Tanner King suffered a shattered pelvis, two broken wrists and other injuries when authorities say he tried to jump 22-feet to an adjacent building. The question is—why was an inmate who was already on suicide watch allowed to be on the roof in the first place; and why wasn’t he better supervised? King’s family says they want answers, and they want criminal charges brought against the guard who failed to keep King safe.  “I want charges brought up on him.” King’s mother, Jill Walker says, “My son was supposed to be being protected by these people and instead they hurt him.”

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is going to handle the investigation into the incident.