The Dalton Police Department asked the GBI to investigate after Alexis Sluder, 16, of Ellijay, died while in custody at the Dalton Youth Detention Center in August 2022.
    Authorities did not specify what Sluder was charged with. [Why is that the first question asked? It’s irrelevant.]
    The GBI said a Whitfield County grand jury handed up an indictment against five DJJ employees tied to Sluder’s death and have been charged with the following:
        • Maveis Brooks, sergeant, age 35, of Calhoun, GA – 2 counts of first-degree cruelty to children and 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children
        • Russell Ballard, cadet, age 62, of Chatsworth, GA – 2 counts of first-degree cruelty to children and 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children
        • Rebecka Phillips, officer, age 45, of Chatsworth, GA – 2 counts of first-degree cruelty to children and 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children
        • Monica Hedrick, nurse, age 62, Ringgold, GA – 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children
        • David McKinney, Detention Center Director, age 53, of Rome, GA – 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children
    [It’s been more than a year, but] The GBI has not released Sluder’s cause of death or much other information about this case.