Woman's Death At Cobb Jail Sparks Internal Probe

MARIETTA, GA — A woman being held on shoplifting charges at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center has died, authorities said Wednesday.

Authorities said Bunnie Large, 42, died Tuesday while incarcerated. Jail records showed Large was arrested on Jan. 9 in Marietta and was denied bond for a theft by shoplifting charge.

It is unknown how Large, who authorities said was an unsheltered person at the time of her arrest, died. Authorities said they were able to notify a next of kin after no family information was provided at the time of her arrest.

“Time and time again, jails across our state are de facto homeless shelters, mental health facilities and hospitals—the last resort for the most marginalized and broken amongst us,” Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens said in a news release. “As a society, we must address the root causes of these issues, rather than solely relying on law enforcement to manage the fallout. It’s time we invest in real solutions and get people the help they so desperately need.”

Authorities said they have begun an internal probe into Large's death, and the county medical examiner will determine a cause of death.