Will there ever be justice for Kevin Bailey? That’s the question his sister, Karen Skaggs’ asked when I spoke to her this weekend. A health crisis caused her to wonder if she’ll be around long enough to find out.
Bailey died over two months ago after he suffered injuries at the Scioto County Jail. At the time officials said he was hurt after running from guards. Others told a different story. A deputy was fired over the incident but no charges were filed. So what’s the holdup? If you’re tempted to blame the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office, don’t.
We’ll investigate what’s really holding up justice. Karen Skaggs told me she’s afraid people will forget about Kevin. Let me remind you who he is and how he died. Let’s break it all down into six easy to read slides.
Who Was Kevin Bailey?
Kevin Bailey was a 57-year-old Portsmouth man. Bailey battled drug addiction for decades. His sister said he was homeless, he slept in tents and abandoned buildings. She admits he had a big mouth sometimes and was pretty good at making folks angry. S
Bailey’s big mouth led to his arrest in the wee hours of May 24. He yelled at a neighbor and waved a pipe around. According to the police report, he didn’t get physical. There was still enough evidence to arrest for aggravated menacing for threatening someone.
Bailey was walked into the Scioto County Jail. He would never walk out. Three days later, Skaggs got the call that her brother was on life support at a Columbus hospital. Jail officials said Bailey was injured when he scuffled with guards and hit his head on a door.
Ohio inmate jail death
The Injuries
Bailey’s injuries were severe. Skull fractured. Ribs were broken and the brain irreparably damaged. A black eye. Doctors said his brain was irreparably damaged. His sister made the painful decision to remove life support and Bailey died. Karen told us her last words to him were a promise to seek justice.
Multiple sources from inside the jail came forward to claim that Bailey was assaulted by jail guards for being mouthy. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation took over the investigation. Bailey’s body was sent to Montgomery County for autopsy and Karen began her long wait.
The Long Wait
With the investigation in the hands of the state, there was nothing to do but wait. Skaggs said Sheriff Donini met with her representative and confirmed that other jail personnel and inmates gave statements confirming the version of events leaked by sources.
She also learned that none of the jail’s cameras captured the incident. Additionally, a deputy was fired in connection with Kevin’s death. But no charges were filed.
A Bill For Cremation
Karen said she heard nothing more from the state of Ohio about the investigation. Though she did here from the City of Portsmouth. She got a bill for Kevin’s cremation. She was forced to turn over all of the money raised to pay Kevin’s Memorial service in order to get his ashes.
They said the city had an indigency plan for cremation but then wanted the donation money. And he isn’t even in an urn. Just a plastic bag in a black plastic box.” Karen didn’t even get the ashes until six weeks after her brother died. He now sits in that little plastic box on a table next to photos of him in happier times.
Devastating Diagnosis
The strain of the investigation word on Bailey’s sister. “I am physically and mentally exhausted. I still have nightmares. It’s just not fair.” But Karen received even more devastating news recently. “They did a biopsy on my breast and found pre-cancer cells.”
Skaggs is scheduled to have surgery this Wednesday. Her greatest fear is not for her own life. “I am afraid people are going to forget about him.”
Karen pleaded multiple times with the County Prosecutor to arrest her brother’s killer. “I have nightmares every night. I sit and have crying spells every day. This has consumed my life. And I think it is time that I make the promise I made my brother and we demand some justice. I had to see my brother on life support. The top of his poor head was crushed. Now I see that every day. Mr. Tieman, please make this right. I know it won’t bring him back, but I promised him I would get justice for him. So please lock this man up.”
Ohio inmate jail death
Hands Are Tied
So, why hasn’t Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman filed charges? The reason is simple. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation has not submitted its final report to his office.
The Sheriff’s Office submitted their internal investigation, but Tieman’s office still hasn’t seen crucial evidence from the state. And once his office gets the final report, they still have to work to do. “My office has to review the evidence, determine appropriate charges, identify weaknesses in the case, and anticipate defenses.”
When I asked him two weeks ago, he admitted it was a frustrating wait. “Very frustrating to say the least, but we are still waiting on BCI to submit the case.” I checked again on Friday and the Prosecutor said his office is still waiting.
I contacted the BCI to ask if they had any idea of when the final report would be ready for the prosecutor. Here’s what a spokesman told me, “The Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s investigation remains ongoing. As such, I cannot provide a timeline for its completion.”
For now, there’s nothing to do but wait for the final report from the state. There will be no justice for Kevin Bailey until the Prosecutor has the report and can move forward.