BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office now says a detainee believed to have been mistakenly released from the county jail this week was not released in error, marking a major reversal less than 24 hours after deputies issued a public alert.
It’s the third serious custody issue at the Buncombe County Detention Facility in two months, prompting concerns about jail oversight, communication with courts, and the accuracy of North Carolina’s new eCourts case management system.
A sheriff’s office spokesperson confirmed to News 13 that an employee was fired on Tuesday, Dec. 2, for violating policy connected to the most recent incident. The office also said other employees were disciplined following two earlier cases, a mistaken release in October and an escape in November. Officials declined to disclose whether any supervisors or jail leadership were among those disciplined…