A Facebook post alleging a seriously injured woman was jailed without receiving proper medical care has gone viral, prompting community concern and an official response from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
The post, shared Friday, describes a woman who was shot in the face and taken to Augusta University Medical Center. The poster claims the woman, who reportedly had a bullet lodged in her nose, was suffering from a blood clot, missing teeth, and impaired vision when she was released from the hospital and taken by wheelchair to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
“This is unreal,” the anonymous poster wrote. “Regardless of what was done, SHE WAS SHOT IN HER FACE… [and] sent to jail with blood clots and missing teeth… she can’t even eat or feed herself.”
In response to questions about the incident, Major Chester Huffman of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the woman, identified as Sophia Yvette Kitchens, was booked into the detention center on Thursday evening around 8:20 p.m. by an Augusta University officer on two outstanding Richmond County warrants.
Kitchens is facing felony charges for terroristic threats (family violence) — a no-bond offense — and false statement in a government matter, which carries a $4,600 bond. Details of the alleged crimes were not immediately available.
“We only accept injured arrestees that we can accommodate, as vetted by our medical team,” Maj. Huffman said. “It appears that this arrestee was cleared by an on-duty Nurse Practitioner. I am confident that Ms. Kitchens is in capable hands currently.”
Maj. Huffman declined to comment further on Kitchens’ medical condition, citing privacy concerns and a lack of information about the origin of her injuries.
The case has stirred debate online about the intersection of healthcare and incarceration, particularly when medical treatment is ongoing. While authorities maintain Kitchens was medically cleared for detention, some community members are questioning the standard of care provided and whether her transfer to jail was appropriate.
Her son, Darius Dorsey, also questioned her transfer to jail from the hospital, saying she should not have been discharged without surgery and a bullet in her face. “Everything gone get handled & ima spend every dollar I got on lawyers to make sure of it,” he said on Facebook.
Jinny Bergan added, “This poor woman is suffering and its inhumane how they just go about and ignore the situation. I hope she’s able to get help. It should be reported…..and soon.”
As of Friday, Kitchens remained in custody.
