Kevin Bailey’s sister Karen Skaggs issued a plea to Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman, “Please, make this right!”
It’s been a month since her 57-year-old brother died after he was injured at the Scioto County Jail. “My brother has been gone a month now and nothing has been done. ”
However, Prosecutor Shane Tieman said there’s a good reason that charges have not been filed. Let’s look at the new developments.
The Death
Kevin Bailey, 56, was an inmate at the Scioto County Jail. He died from injuries suffered during an incident three weeks ago. According to a jail spokesman, Bailey attempted to run away from guards and hit his head on an open door during a scuffle.
Karen Skaggs said he suffered a fractured skull, broken ribs, and a black eye. He was so severely injured that doctors told his sister the best course of action was to remove him from life support. Multiple sources have claimed that Bailey got mouthy with guards and was beaten and kicked.
The Ohio State Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation took over the investigation on the case.
Out of Patience
When I spoke with Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman two weeks ago, he called for patience. “It’s important to keep in mind that we have an outside agency that is conducting the investigation. These agents do not work in a vacuum. They have to travel back and forth to our county from other areas. They also have other matters across the state or at least region that they are investigating, so sometimes it takes longer than people wish.”
Karen Skaggs said she’s run out of patience. “I know the prosecutor asked for patience in the case for my brother. But my patience is running out. My brother has been gone a month now and nothing has been done.”
Still Enjoying His Life
Skaggs said it pains her that the man she holds responsible for her brother’s death is still walking the streets. “The man who killed him is still enjoying his life. I believe some charges should have already been brought up on him.” She also wants charges against any jail employees who witnessed the incident and did not intervene. “I believe if you stood and watched this man kill my brother, you should be prosecuted as well. It just makes me sick that that man is still walking around free while I am making arrangements for my brother’s body to be transported back home.
Enough is Enough
Skaggs is calling for arrests. “I have been very patient, polite, and respectful. But I am at the end of my rope. 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.”
I shared Skaggs’s plea with Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman last night. He sent his answer just after 11 pm. He said he can’t make any moves yet because the state has not shared the final results of their investigation with him.
“The matter will be reviewed once it is received from BCI.”
It’s unknown if local officials have even received the results of Bailey’s autopsy.
For now, Karen Skaggs waits and hopes for justice for Kevin.