Clay County Jail Inmate Escapes, Recaptured Short Time Later

A Clay County Jail inmate who escaped Thursday afternoon was recaptured a short time later without incident.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook that during visiting hour at the jail about 1:55pm, an inmate fled from the jail. The inmate was being returned from the visiting booth to his cell by correctional staff when he ran from the jail. The inmate was pursued east of the jail to an area along the Little Wabash River, approximately 100 yards from the jail.

Clay County Sheriff Andy Myers and deputies established a perimeter in the area and requested assistance from other agencies. The inmate was located approximately 15 minutes after fleeing the jail under a root wad by the deputy that had initially pursued him. The inmate was taken into custody without further incident and secured back in the jail.

As a safety precaution, the Clay County Courthouse was locked down for a brief time. 

The Sheriff's Office expressed appreciation to the Illinois State Police and the Flora Police Department for their response for assistance.

Clay County Sheriff Andy Myers said, "I have an incredible group of corrections officers and deputies that work very hard at preventing incidents like today for occurring, but, unfortunately when you deal with some of the people that we do in jail on a daily basis, things like today occur. I credit my staff for quickly and safely resolving a very dangerous incident without anyone being hurt or injured."

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further details will be released at a later time.