ALEXIS MARIE SLUDER 2005 – 2024
ALEXIS SLUDER DIED IN A TEEN DETAINMENT CENTER
A young soul whose life was tragically cut short...
Background and Tragedy:
Alexis Marie Sluder was just 16 years old when she passed away. Her story is both heartbreaking and infuriating. In 2022, she was at the Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center in Dalton, Georgia—about 90 miles north of Atlanta. She had been arrested for possession of methamphetamine and shoplifting.
The events that followed are chilling: Alexis overdosed on methamphetamine while in custody, and authorities allegedly did nothing as they watched her suffer. She convulsed, writhed in pain, and cried for help, but no one intervened until it was too late. Her family’s lawsuit claims that instead of monitoring her health and safety, they watched her die.
The lawsuit names several defendants, including Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice employees and Augusta University, which provided medical and mental health services at the facility.
A Life Cut Short:
Alexis was born on September 18, 2005, in Whitfield County, Georgia. She was the daughter of Shawn Ricky Curtis and Melanie Hogan Sluder. She attended Gilmer High School and had a zest for life. Alexis enjoyed playing softball and participating in beauty pageants, where she consistently won the title of “Prettiest Smile.”
Her artistic spirit and love for beauty were evident in her smile—a radiant brushstroke on the canvas of her life.
Remembering Alexis:
As we reflect on Alexis Marie Sluder’s brief existence, let’s hold space for the pain her family endured. Losing a child is an indescribable grief. May her memory serve as a reminder to advocate for the vulnerable, to demand accountability, and to ensure that no one else suffers such neglect within our systems.
If there’s anything else you’d like to explore or discuss, feel free to share. Life stories, even those marked by tragedy, deserve acknowledgment and empathy.
