Indictment in Failed Hospital Escape

The man accused of trying to escape police custody by crawling through the ceiling of a bathroom at Northside Hospital-Forsyth at the end of September has been indicted on charges related to the incident.

Ernest Jay Sparks, 23, was already facing an indictment on three charges of drug offenses. On Nov. 9, a grand jury indicted Sparks on additional charges of escape and criminal trespass for his alleged escape attempt on Sept. 30, Forsyth County News reports.

Sparks had been charged with disorderly conduct and public drunkenness when he was transported to Northside Hospital-Forsyth on Sept. 30, Deputy Chief Alethia Barrett told Patch in the aftermath of the incident.

While at the hospital, Sparks allegedly asked the officer watching him to let him use the bathroom and was released from his handcuffs in order to do so.

After several minutes, the officer grew suspicious and had the hospital unlock the bathroom door, at which point the officer realized Sparks had allegedly gone out through the ceiling. Minutes later, a hospital worker discovered Sparks in another bathroom and he was re-arrested, Barrett said.

Sparks is now being held at the Forsyth County jail, records show.