Army Veteran’s Death in DeKalb County Jail Sparks Outcry and Demands for Investigation
The recent release of a disturbing video has drawn significant attention and scrutiny to the death of 27-year-old Army veteran Kristin Collins while incarcerated in DeKalb County Jail. The footage reveals troubling details about the final moments of Collins’s life, raising serious questions about the care and treatment he received.
On March 15th, Collins, who had been suffering from severe mental health issues, is seen in the video walking around in a daze before collapsing and hitting his head at approximately 4:20 PM. Disturbingly, no guards are visible in the footage, and the only assistance he received came from fellow inmates who dragged him to the side of the room. Collins remained unattended for about three hours until a guard finally appeared at 7:34 PM.
Collins’s mother, who has been vocal about her son’s mental health struggles, expressed her anguish and frustration over the incident. She disclosed that Collins had been dealing with PTSD and schizophrenia since his return from military service. Despite her repeated pleas for help and efforts to get her son transferred to a treatment facility, she said her son was failed by the system.
The video and accompanying documents obtained by Collins’s mother indicate that the jail staff did not render aid, even though a guard present at the time was CPR certified. This revelation has intensified calls for accountability and reform.
Collins’s death is not an isolated case; he is the fourth person to die in DeKalb County Jail this year. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for systemic changes in how incarcerated individuals, especially those with mental health issues, are treated.
Collins’s family is now advocating for an independent agency to investigate his death. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has declined to comment on the situation, citing ongoing investigations. The family’s hope is that their tragedy will lead to meaningful reforms to prevent future deaths and ensure that veterans and others with mental health conditions receive the care they desperately need.
