Descanso

Sheriff’s deputies were still searching Tuesday for an inmate who fled the medium-security Descanso County Jail when an alarm system malfunctioned, a department spokesman said.

Garth Kelly, who was awaiting transfer to the El Cajon jail because he was caught with a jail-made knife, escaped about 6:30 p.m. Monday, spokesman Lewis Jones said.

Kelly reportedly squeezed between a fence and the roof of a temporary holding area, Jones said. Kelly, who had been left unattended, was discovered missing when deputies made a 7:30 p.m. check.

An alarm system designed to detect motion along the fence failed to sound when Kelly made his escape, Jones said. According to Jones, the system is checked twice a day and was in working condition before the escape.

Kelly was serving time for narcotics violations, Jones said.