Suspect who fled hospital waives hearing on seven felony counts

A man who escaped from custody while being treated at Saint Francis Medical Center must answer felony burglary, assault and fleeing charges.

Jeramie D. Oakley, 29, of West Frankfort, Ill., waived his preliminary hearing on the charges Friday. Associate Circuit Judge Gary A. Kamp ordered him to appear in court again on Oct. 19.

Oakley was arrested Sept. 4 after leading police on a car chase from Jackson that ended on Highway 3 in Illinois. While awaiting extradition to Missouri, Oakley was first treated at Union County Hospital in Anna, Ill., then taken to Saint Francis Medical Center because his condition needed more intensive treatment. He fled the hospital late in the evening of Sept. 6. He was not being watched closely because of the severity of his condition.

Oakley is accused of using a screwdriver to threaten his ex-wife and another man in their Jackson apartment after breaking into the apartment. He is charged with one count of felony burglary, two counts of felony assault, two counts of armed criminal action, also a felony, one count of felony resisting arrest and one count of felony fleeing from custody. He also faces pending charges of felony domestic assault for an incident that occurred in June and harassment, a misdemeanor, for a Sept. 3 incident.

Oakley will be in court Monday for an appearance before Circuit Judge William Syler for the June assault charge.

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, Mo.