Local

Internal report: Handcuffed woman escaped from Osceola County Sheriff's Office

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A woman slipped out of handcuffs at the Osceola County Sheriff's Office and escaped without anyone noticing, according to an internal report released Wednesday.

The incident happened last year in April.

The report said that there were at least three deputies present when it happened, and that no one noticed for about 15 minutes.

One deputy was disciplined for not watching the prisoner.

The report said that Desiree McAlister had already gotten out of her handcuffs at least once on the way over to the sheriff's office for questioning, and that she had already made multiple attempts to escape.

The report said that while McAlister was in the interrogation room, she asked for water. McAlister’s handcuffs were placed in front of her so she could drink.

Each deputy thought the other was watching the woman, but that was not the case, said the report.

McAlister slipped out of her handcuffs and went through a drainage pipe, authorities said.

The report indicated that the escape took "minimal effort."

The investigation revealed that better communication could have prevented the situation.

The report also said that some of the cameras at the sheriff's office were working, and they show that one of the doors of the interrogation room could not be secured.

The deputy received a 48-hour suspension.