Former Cooper County Jail staff accused of manslaughter have new hearing date set

BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

Former staff from the Cooper County Jail who were charged in the death of Brooke Bailey appeared in court on Friday, according to court records.

Robyn Pfeiffer and Rachel Atherton, both of Pilot Grove, are charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter. Court records indicate that both appeared in court on Friday and pleaded not guilty after waiving a formal arraignment. A preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. Friday, May 17.

Bailey, of Jefferson City, was found dead on Oct. 27 in her cell with blood and vomit on the floor and on her clothing. Special prosecutors with the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office filed the charges.

Both Atherton and Pfeiffer are accused of failing to get Bailey medical help and telling others not to do so, according to the complaints filed against them.

Court documents say a medical examiner found Bailey died from diabetic ketoacidosis and low sodium levels. Bailey had told staff when she was booked that she had diabetes, along with other conditions. The probable cause statement says Bailey did not receive treatment when she complained of feeling ill and she became verbally nonresponsive to jailers.