PORTLAND, Ore. — A woman accused of aggravated identity theft escaped Multnomah County Sheriff’s custody on Monday by removing a ceiling tile in a restroom.
Following a court hearing at the Multnomah County Courthouse, Sabrina Cox, 24, was transported to Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) for a medical evaluation. At the hospital, shortly after 4 p.m., Cox asked to use the restroom. Deputies said they discovered she had climbed through the ceiling space, crawled a distance and lowered herself into another room.
Cox then managed to remove her restraints and walked out of the hospital undetected after changing her appearance, police said.
A deputy notified OHSU staff and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office of the escape. Since her disappearance, MSCO has been actively searching for her and is seeking public help. Cox is not believed to be a public safety risk.
“Any time you’re dealing with a prisoner, they’re always a flight risk,” David Sarni, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice said.
Sarni is a former NYPD detective. He said that there should have been two Multnomah County deputies watching Cox, rather than just one.
“You have to really maintain custody and control throughout the whole process,” Sarni said.
Cox also should not have been allowed to use an individual bathroom, Sarni said. Deputies should have also ensured that the bathroom was secure, without a way for Cox to escape, he said.
Cox is approximately 5 feet, 4 inches; 125 pounds; has blonde hair and blue eyes; and has a scar on a left wrist. Cox is associated with the North Portland and Battle Ground, Washington, areas.
Anyone with information about her location is asked to call 911, the sheriff's office said.
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