PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Officials with Big Sandy Regional Detention Center say guard was attacked by an inmate during a hospital stay, in what is being described as a failed escape attempt.
Shelley Ferguson, 43, of Sitka, had been arrested for failure to appear in court, but was taken to Pikeville Medical Center for an extended stay to receive treatment for an undisclosed condition. Authorities say she plotted her escape from custody during her stay in the hospital and put those plans into effect Monday afternoon.
Sgt. Debra Pennington was returning Ferguson to her bed after a restroom break, when the inmate allegedly made her move. As Pennington attempted to reapply the prisoner’s restraints, Ferguson allegedly grabbed surgical tape and a plastic knife she had previously hidden under her bed. She then tried to wrap the tape around Pennington’s face and mouth while threatening her with the knife. During the struggle that followed, Ferguson allegedly punched Pennington in the head and bit her hands and fingers.
Pennington was able to alert hospital staff to the escape attempt, who rushed to help her restrain Ferguson in her bed.
Pikeville Police is continuing to investigate the incident, but Ferguson is now likely to face assault and attempted escape charges.
Authorities with the jail say they have also used Ferguson’s fingerprints to discover she has used others aliases in the past, including Lovelle McCarty, Louelle McCarty and Michelle Ferguson. She is wanted under those identities for failing to appear in court to answer an alcohol intoxication charge in Lawrence County, as well as for felon drug trafficking charges in Ohio. She is now being held on a $50,000 cash bond, awaiting extradition to Ohio.
