Robyn Pfeiffer and Rachel Atherton, former employees of the Cooper County Sheriff’s Office, face charges of involuntary manslaughter. They were arrested and booked into the Howard County Jail on Thursday night, later released on $7,500 bonds as per court records.

The arrest warrants were issued for Pfeiffer, 29, who held the rank of Lieutenant, and Rachel Atherton, 34, a court deputy. They are accused of neglecting to provide necessary medical attention to Brooke Bailey, an inmate at the Cooper County Jail. Court documents suggest they also discouraged other staff members from aiding Bailey.

Bailey was discovered deceased in her jail cell on October 27th. An autopsy revealed her cause of death as diabetic ketoacidosis with hyponatremia. According to statements from jail staff following Bailey’s death, she had repeatedly communicated her need for medical assistance.

Both Pfeiffer and Atherton are no longer employed at the sheriff’s office, confirmed by Cooper County Sheriff Chris Class. The investigation into Bailey’s death was initially handled by the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office, later transferred to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office due to a conflict of interest.