Prison Goofs, Releases 2 Prisoners Accidentally

A clerical error at the Delaware County Prison freed two prisoners and it wasn't the first time the prison goofed up.

Accidentally released were 32-year-old Ateia Polk and 19-year-old David West, a.k.a. David Wilson.

Polk was in prison after being charged with robbery, assault and making terroristic threats after an April incident at an Upper Darby beauty supply store where the owner of the store alleged that Polk stole costume jewelry and tried to stab him. Her bail was revoked. But she was released in July.

And West was awaiting sentencing for a weapons violation conviction when he was set free on Aug. 4.

Authorities at the George Hill Correctional Facility in Thornton, Pa. blamed the releases on errors. It's the same prison that goofed up and freed an accused killer in June.

And this isn't the first time a mix-up at the prison let a prisoner loose. In June, accused killer Taaqui Brown got a free pass due to a clerical mix-up involving his brother. Brown turned himself in the next day.


Fan, follow and download: Get the latest from NBCPhiladelphia.com anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and NBC Philadelphia. Sign up for our breaking news newsletter. And, get breaking news delivered right to your mobile phone -- just text PHIBREAKING to 639710 to sign up. (Message and data rates may apply.)

Contact Us