Convicted Murderer Escapes From Custody in Hillsborough, N.C.

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. - Ramone Alston, a 30-year-old man serving a life sentence for the murder of a 1-year-old child, has reportedly escaped from the custody of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC). The Orange County Sheriff's Office confirmed the escape, which occurred at approximately 7 a.m. Tuesday morning at UNC Hospitals Hillsborough campus.

According to DAC Communications Director Keith Acree, Alston managed to free himself from leg restraints while inside a DAC van parked in the hospital's clinic parking lot. Acree stated that as officers attempted to remove Alston from the vehicle for medical treatment, he broke away from them and fled towards the woods nearby.

The search for the escaped convict has been intensified, with authorities focusing their efforts in the areas surrounding the Waterstone neighborhood and UNC Hospital in Hillsborough. The Orange County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning to the public to be vigilant and not to approach Alston if spotted. Instead, they urge anyone who encounters him to immediately contact law enforcement authorities by dialing 911.

Alston was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt, brown pants, and New Balance tennis shoes, with his hands cuffed in front of him and still attached to a belly chain. Authorities believe this to be the most distinguishing feature that would aid in identifying him. Although Alston has connections to the area through friends and family, it remains unclear whether his escape was premeditated or not. The search radius has been established within a one-to-two mile radius of the hospital, and as of the latest update at 1:30 p.m., Alston remains at large.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office and UNC Hospitals have collaborated to enhance security measures at the Hillsborough campus following the incident. The hospital released a statement expressing their gratitude towards the swift response of law enforcement partners and reaffirming their commitment to the safety of their teammates, patients, and visitors as their top priority.

Alston was previously convicted for the shooting and tragic death of Maleah Williams, a 1-year-old child, on Christmas Day in 2015. The shooting occurred in Chapel Hill, and Maleah's mother shared with ABC11 that the children were playing with their Christmas toys outside when the shooting began. She recounted holding her daughter when shots were fired in the area, resulting in Maleah being struck by a bullet while they were fleeing the scene.

In 2019, Alston and another man named Pierre Je Bron Moore accepted a plea deal. Alston received a life sentence for the child's murder, while Moore was sentenced to serve between 28 to 34 years in prison.

As the search for Ramone Alston continues, authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or sightings to the authorities immediately. The safety of the community remains the top priority during this ongoing investigation.