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Inmate who escaped custody while at hospital captured, internal investigation underway, Newton County deputies say

The sheriff's office reported 34-year-old Kendrick Hurst's arrest on Friday in a Facebook post.

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — An inmate who escaped custody while at a hospital has been captured, and an internal investigation is underway to examine how Hurst escaped, according to a Facebook post from the Newton County sheriff's office.

Authorities said 34-year-old Kendrick Hurst escaped over the weekend in Newton County. On Friday, Newton County deputies said Hurst was apprehended in Wake County, North Carolina. He is now facing several additional charges related to his escape. 

The Newton County Sheriff's Office said that they will open an internal investigation to determine who helped Hurst and "whether proper policies were followed during his transport back to the Newton County Detention Center from Piedmont Newton Hospital."

In Thursday's Facebook post, the Newton County Sheriff's Office clarified what happened in a recent encounter with him. It's unclear what encounter authorities are referring to, but the department said deputies decided not to release K-9s to capture the suspect since he signaled a willingness to surrender.  

It further added in its post that authorities do not believe negligence played a role. 

Read the full post below. 

In light of the recent encounter between our officers and Kendrick Hurst, we want to provide clarity on the situation....

Posted by Newton County, GA Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Before that encounter, he was sighted Monday in the area of Roy Dial Road just before 1:30 p.m. Deputies arrested a 49-year-old man and charged him with aiding or permitting another to escape lawful custody after he did not report that he sighted Hurst, according to a Facebook post from the department. 

RELATED: Newton County inmate escapes hospital, now on the run, sheriff's office says

Deputies previously were offering a $3,500 reward for anyone who had information about his whereabouts. According to the sheriff's office, Hurst escaped from Piedmont Newton Hospital on Saturday afternoon. The circumstances of his escape have not been detailed.

Hurst was previously arrested on April 28 and charged with terroristic threats and acts, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, willful obstruction of law enforcement officers, and a number of traffic violations.

Authorities said more information regarding Hurst's capture will be released "at a later date" to thank and recognize all of the agencies who helped.

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