Sgt. Jeremy Blake issued the following public information release about the second death of a person in custody of the Cobb County Adult Detention Center this month:
(MARIETTA, GA) — The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office announces that Ms. Eva Kanja, a detainee in the Adult Detention Center, passed away earlier today. She was undergoing a mental health evaluation. Information is not yet available as to the cause of death.
The detainee was booked in the ADC on April 29 after being arrested for battery while a patient at WellStar Cobb Hospital.
The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an internal investigation and, per protocol, has requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigations conduct an external investigation.
“What I’ve been committed to since day one is providing our detainees with the best healthcare and support possible so we can save as many lives as possible,” said Sheriff Craig Owens.
In October 2021, the sheriff announced a new detainee mental health program with 24/7 care, making Cobb the first in the state to provide round-the-clock service to detainees. The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office will soon announce new technology to enhance detainee care even further.
This is the second detainee death this month. Joshua Capes of Kennesaw died in the hospital on May 2 when he was found unresponsive in his cell during a mandatory cell check, and was taken to the hospital.
I am speaking on behalf of Mikhail Williams who has been held in the detention center for at least two months. He is desperately seeking medical attention. He has a serious mental problem and the two charges he is being held for were both committed during a bipolar meltdown. He needs medication so that he doesn’t end up making any serious mistakes while in custody. He has not seen a doctor nor has he seen a lawyer since he’s been there. We know nothing about his welfare. Please feel free to contact me and let me know what I can do to help him. Or to help you for that matter.