Authorities Search for Two Inmates Who Escaped Missouri Jail

Authorities are searching for two inmates who escaped from a south-central Missouri jail.

The Springfield News-Leader reports the two men escaped from the Pulaski County jail early Sunday. Sheriff Ron Long said in a release that the inmates requested a medical check, then stole the jailer's keys and fled.

The jailer was not injured.

The escaped inmates are identified as 32-year-old James Randall "J.R." Sherrell, and 27-year-old Dustin Richardson. The sheriff says Sherrell was being held on suspicion of drug possession and interfering with an arrest, and Richardson was being held on suspicion of first-degree child molestation.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is assisting Pulaski County with the search.