Authorities Unsure If Inmate Survived Daring Escape - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

DEKALB COUNTY, Tenn. – Authorities are unsure if an inmate from the DeKalb County jail survived a daring escape.

Thirty-six-year-old Waylon Farless was behind bars in DeKalb County and held on a variety of charges, including theft.

After some strange behavior, deputies took him to the Moccasin Bend Mental Health facility near Chattanooga for a mental evaluation. Somehow, he escaped by jumping into the Tennessee River.

Reports were he made it halfway across before calling for help and then disappearing.

Police have been searching the river.

If he was able to swim to shore, police expect he may try to make it back to DeKalb County.