Atlanta jail inmate escapes from hospital, police say

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - An Atlanta jail inmate escaped from Grady Memorial Hospital Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Atlanta police said they learned around 12:36 p.m. that 53-year-old Amy Hightower escaped from the custody of Atlanta City Detention Center staffers while she was waiting for medical treatment at the hospital.

Police said Hightower was arrested Monday after officers pulled her vehicle over and learned she had several warrants for shoplifting in surrounding jurisdictions.

Officers are searching for Hightower as police investigate how she escaped.

“Currently, there is no threat to the public and the investigation continues,” police said.