Oconee Sheriff's Office Takes Tuberculosis Patient Into Custody

Oconee County deputies have located and arrested a 53-year-old woman on a charge of reckless conduct related to noncompliance with tests and treatment for tuberculosis.

Chief Deputy Lee Weems says was taken into custody by Sheriff Scott Berry and deputies Wednesday morning at a location in Jackson County.

Details about the arrest weren't immediately available, but Hicks did try to elude capture, Weems explained. She is being held in a medical isolation cell at the , he said.

The Athens Banner Herald reported Tuesday that Hicks had tested positive for the infectious disease at the beginning of April and was cooperating with Georgia Department of Public Health officials until she skipped tests on July 27 when she was jailed on an unrelated charge and then skipped town upon release.

An Oconee deputy obtained a warrant against Hicks on a charge of reckless conduct and authorities in both Oconee and Hall counties were searching for her, according to the article.

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