Greene County, Arkansas – Sheriff Brad Snyder announced Wednesday that nine detention‑center employees have been dismissed following the death of 18‑year‑old Atiyanna Willis on Sept. 22. Snyder said a review of video and documentation showed staff did not meet the jail’s standards for caring for people in custody.
Sheriff’s response
In a public video statement, Snyder expressed anger at the lapse, stating, “Every person in our custody deserves to be checked on, cared for, and treated with dignity. That’s the standard I set in this jail.” He added that he personally reviewed the footage and, based on his preliminary findings, some employees failed to assist Willis during her medical emergency.
“I won’t make excuses for that, and I won’t tolerate it either. Today I fired nine jail employees,” Snyder said. He also ordered immediate retraining for all jail staff to reinforce proper monitoring and response procedures.
Investigation underway
Arkansas State Police have launched an independent investigation at Snyder’s request. The sheriff’s office is conducting an internal review focused on jail policies and procedures, while the criminal investigation division examines the specific actions of the dismissed employees.
Snyder declined to name the nine workers or disclose their positions, citing the ongoing investigations. He indicated that additional information could be released as early as Thursday, pending updates from investigators.
Medical care at the facility
The Greene County Detention Center provides 24‑hour medical care through its contracted provider, Turn Key. Snyder clarified that none of the terminated employees were medical personnel and that the medical provider operates separately from the sheriff’s office. He said he has not been notified of any changes regarding the on‑site nurse and is unaware of any issues involving Turn Key in this case.
Family reaction
In his video statement, Snyder offered condolences to Willis’s family, saying, “I am truly heartbroken for her family.” The sheriff acknowledged that the incident raises serious concerns about the duty of care owed to individuals in custody.
Next steps
State Police will continue their independent investigation, and the sheriff’s office will cooperate fully, providing requested information promptly. The detention center’s policies are under review, and staff retraining will begin immediately to prevent future lapses.
Community members are encouraged to stay informed as the investigations progress and to hold local officials accountable for ensuring the safety and dignity of all individuals under their care.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
