A Vanderburgh County Jail Inmate is accused of attempting to escape from an area hospital.
Connor Spachtholz, 36, of Columbus, Ind., had been transported from the Vanderburgh County Jail to an area hospital and admitted for observation. A sheriff’s deputy was assigned to watch over the inmate during his stay.
Spachtholz requested to use the restroom at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. While in leg shackles, he entered the restroom and claimed he wished to use the shower. Shortly after, the deputy heard a loud crash from inside the restroom.
Upon inspection, the deputy discovered significant damage, including multiple ceiling tiles torn and lying on the floor, a light fixture hanging down, and a section of drywall above the toilet that had been broken off and appeared to have been pulled down from the inside.
Spachtholz claimed the damage was accidental and resulted from grabbing the shower curtain to prevent himself from falling. However, investigators determined this account was inconsistent with the physical evidence, since the shower curtain and its track remained fully intact.
A supervising deputy and detectives responded to the scene, documenting the damage through photographs and measurements. Spachtholz was subsequently discharged from the hospital and transported back to the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Spachtholz was charged by the Sheriff’s Office with escape, with additional charges of criminal mischief filed by hospital police.
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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