Mom says son was knifed at Silverdale lockup

Antonio Watkins
Antonio Watkins
photo Antonio Dewayne Watkins

The mother of an inmate at Silverdale Detention Facility said her son was injured in a fight there and then sat for eight hours, passing in and out of consciousness, before being taken to the hospital, where doctors treated his head injury with four staples.

Latoya Watkins said the fight involved several inmates, many of whom were supposed to be held in locked cells, away from the general population.

Silverdale officials confirmed Thursday that seven inmates fought on April 17 in the general population housing unit, but did not return calls seeking additional comment.

"The incident resulted in minor injuries to one inmate, requiring transport outside the facility for non-emergent medical treatment," Silverdale spokeswoman Bianca Hudson said in a written statement. "Facility management is reviewing the incident and notification has been made to its government partner."

Watkins is upset, saying that the lockup owned by Hamilton County and operated by the for-profit Corrections Corporation of America has not contacted her about the fight and her son's injuries.

Antonio Watkins, 21, is identified by police as a high-ranking member of the Gangster Disciples. He was arrested on Easter at 2004 Curtis St. a house police say is known to be a Gangster Disciples hangout.

Police found a gold Honda CRV at the house that matches the description of a vehicle used in a recent shooting. Inside the car, officers found marijuana, white powder and Antonio Watkins' identification. As police searched the car, Watkins became aggressive, according to the affidavit.

He is charged with two counts of drugs for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia and retaliation against an officer.

Latoya Watkins said she was finally able to talk to her son by phone on Tuesday.

Fighting back tears, she recounted to the Times Free Press how Antonio told her he was cut with a homemade knife, and how he is afraid of being attacked again.

Latoya Watkins said she is not sure if her son was jumped because of his gang affiliation, but that several of the inmates who cut him were federal prisoners who are supposed to be held in a separate part of the facility.

"I maybe think the wardens let them loose in retaliation for my son," Latoya Watkins said. "I just feel like Silverdale was negligent in failing to protect my son. No matter what a person has done in life, they shouldn't let him get hurt."

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.

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