Atlanta police looking for inmate who escaped from Grady Hospital

ATLANTA - Atlanta police are looking for a woman who reportedly escaped from Atlanta City Detention Center staff while she was waiting for medical treatment at Grady Memorial Hospital.

It happened around 12:26 p.m. March 12. Police have identified the inmate as 53-year-old Amy Hightower. She was originally arrested on March 11 during a traffic stop because she had several warrants for shoplifting in surrounding jurisdictions. Initially, she gave officers a false name. 

Officers said they arrested Hightower during a traffic stop for outstanding shoplifting warrants before she was taken to Grady for treatment and then took off.

"Obviously, whoever was assigned to watch this person wasn’t watching them," said Atlanta City Council member Michael Bond.

This is the second time in less than a year an inmate in custody at the facility has managed to slip away.

Bond said he’s concerned about the liability this ongoing issue creates for the city.

"Historically, if you’re going to escape from Atlanta custody, Grady has been the place to do it," he told FOX 5. "If something were to happen to this person, if they’re met with any harm and of course the security of citizens," he stated.

Bond said he was stunned to hear about the incident just 24 hours after the same issue came up during the city’s public safety committee meeting Monday.

"The number one place people escape from is Grady usually with the help of the people who work at Grady," he said during the meeting.

 Amy Hightower (Atlanta Police Department)

The Post 1 at-Large city council member, who served as a corrections officer before he ran for elected office, told FOX 5 this escape and a similar incident in July of 2023 point to a glaring problem of security at the facility that’s currently staffed by state DOC officers due to shortages within the ranks of the city’s corrections department.

"You don’t want a contractor at all at Grady…you want Atlanta correction officers," Bond continued.

"Like most departments, hiring and retention have been challenging for us," Interim Corrections Chief Elder Dancy told members of council.

He said despite staffing challenges, they are doing all they can to fill positions and have made progress they hope will lead to more resources at Grady over the next three to six months.

In response to a request for comment, Grady officials said: "The existing policy for inmates under treatment at the hospital is that the custodial law enforcement agency must have one-to-one oversight of them at all times."

She’s charged with giving a false name and escape.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms. Hightower’s escape is currently underway, and officers are actively canvassing for her. Police say there is no current threat to the public.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct the name and mug shot of the individual provided by police