Update: Campus-area search for furloughed inmate called off

Michael Huson, Nick Roll
Mon, 02 Jan 2017 14:18:27 +0000
Campus, Crime, Buckeye Alert, ohio state, Ohio State crime, ohio state escaped prisoner

The search for Jeffrey Adkins was called off Monday afternoon. Credit: Courtesy of Ross County Sheriff’s Office

A Ross County inmate who prompted a Buckeye Alert early Monday morning after fleeing the Wexner Medical Center is not being pursued by police, according to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office.

Ohio State issued a text message alert at about 3:30 a.m. Monday to notify the campus community of an escaped prisoner in the area.

However, Jeffrey A. Adkins Jr., age 27, was on a temporary medical furlough after he injured his left hand as a result of slamming it in a jail door, said Ross County Sheriff George W. Lavender.

Adkins was serving a 25-day sentence in the Ross County Jail on a conviction of petty theft. He was taken for treatment to Adena Regional Medical Center before being referred to the Wexner Medical Center.

Adkins was also being held under bond through Chillicothe Municipal Court for resisting arrest and escape, both first-degree misdemeanors, according to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office.

Adkins fled the medical center on Monday after being approached by a county deputy for questioning in regard to a property crime that occurred on Dec. 24 in Ross County,?located about 50 miles south of Columbus.

The deputy chased Adkins through the hospital, but was ultimately outrun once they made it outside. The search was called off after the furlough was confirmed.

Lavender said he suspects Adkins won’t hang around the Columbus area. But Adkins is still wanted for questioning in connection with other Ross County investigations, he added.

“I don’t think he poses a risk, as far as hurting anybody on campus or anything,” Lavender said.

Adkins is due back in Chillicothe Municipal Court when his furlough expires on Jan. 9.

8:42 p.m.: This story was updated with comment from the Ross County Sheriff’s Office