Murder suspect dies from apparent COVID-19 complications at local hospital
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WTVC) — A murder suspect at Silverdale Detention Facility has died from apparent COVID-19 complications at a hospital, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's office says Charles Levada Shelton died at a local hospital.
Shelton is one of three accused of killing Bianca Horton in 2016.
In 2018, The state of Tennessee sought the death penalty for Shelton and the three other suspects, according to NewsChannel 9 archives.
Because this is considered an in-custody death, the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office has requested the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division to conduct an investigation.
This is the second inmate within one week that has died of COVID complications according to HCSO. Morghan Jean Elmore died after she had just given birth to her second child. The baby is in DCS custody and now the family is fighting for their grandchild.
At the time of her death, Sheriff Jim Hammond sat down with us to explain their COVID protocols inside the jail.
He said they offering masks, cleaning supplies, and the vaccine.
We also asked what precautions, if any, are being taken to keep pregnant women safe.
Because she was pregnant, she gets the type of visits, the additional specialty visits. So, they monitor those quite often," said Deputy Chief Shawn Shephard with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Hammond says it's unclear if Elmore was infected when she was booked into Silverdale.
