Greene County's sheriff fired 12 jailers after an 18-year-old died in his custody
Atiyana Willis, 18, of Forrest City, suffered a medical emergency at the Greene County Detention Center in Paragould and was pronounced dead at Baptist Paragould at 12:01 p.m. on Sept. 22, 2026. After reviewing video and records of her time in custody, Sheriff Brad Snyder fired nine jail employees involved in the response on Oct. 1 and three more later, 12 in all, saying what he found "angers me greatly" and that the employees did not meet his standards. He ordered all jail staff retrained on checking inmates and recognizing medical need. Arkansas State Police are conducting an independent investigation and the State Crime Lab is determining cause of death. The sheriff has not released the video or said what staff failed to do, and no charges or findings have been announced.
But when someone in our custody needs help, we have to answer. Every time.
Sheriff Snyder said the footage and records anger him and fired 12 employees who did not meet his standards.
"Every person in our custody deserves to be checked on, cared for, and treated with dignity."
No outcome recorded yet.