I-Team: Lawrence Co. deputies did welfare check on disabled 12-year-old before she was hit and killed

Deputies did a welfare check on Jayla Sutton hours before she walked away from home again, but the sheriff told WAAY 31 the deputy failed to contact DHR.

Posted: Nov 27, 2018 5:07 PM

Updated: Nov 29, 2018 4:18 PM

Posted By: Breken Terry

Lawrence County Sheriff, Gene Mitchell, told WAAY 31 that 12-year-old Jayla Sutton's neighbor called deputies on Thanksgiving concerned because the visually impaired and disabled child had walked across the street to her home without supervision.

Mitchell said the deputy who went to do the welfare check failed to notify the Department of Human Resources. Mitchell said they are going to meet with the deputy and find out why he didn't contact DHR.

It is known that hours later, Jayla walked away from home again. This time, she made it close to three miles and was struck and killed on Highway 157. State troopers said this appeared to be an accident, and it's unclear if the driver of the pickup truck will face charges.

The sheriff's office said members of Jayla's family were not under investigation for negligence.