Alabama inmate jailed 17 months ends up pregnant while in custody; family, attorneys believe she was raped

National Guard veteran Latoni Daniel currently sits, eight months pregnant with her first child, in Alabama's Talladega County Jail. While she awaits her fate on a capital murder charge, her family and attorneys want answers as to how the inmate became pregnant during her 17-month detainment — and they believe she was raped.

What are the details?

Daniel has no recollection of having intercourse while she has been in custody, according to her lawyer, Mickey McDermott. The attorney told AL.com he believes the 26-year-old was raped while she was held in the Coosa County Jail, possibly while she was under the influence of legally prescribed sedatives for treating a seizure disorder.

Daniel's brother, Terrell Ransaw, questions why she was administered sedatives in the first place.

"She's never had any seizures before she went to jail," he told the outlet.

According to WIAT-TV, Daniel was transferred out of the Coosa County lockup after it was discovered she was pregnant.

The inmate allegedly drove the getaway car for her former boyfriend, who stands accused of killing 87-year-old Thomas Virgil Chandler during a robbery in late 2017. While Ransaw said he sympathizes with the victim's family, he points out that his sister has not been convicted, should have been protected while detained, and that whoever got her pregnant needs to be held accountable.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding Daniels' pregnancy, Ransaw told AL.com of his sister, "One thing she wasn't going to do was have an abortion. A lot of people would probably consider giving the baby up for adoption or having an abortion. She believes it's a blessing from God — no matter the situation."

Ransaw reiterated to WIAT, "We happy for my little nephew, he is going to be spoiled, he is going to be taken care of, he is going to be loved."

The family is asking for officials for a full investigate into the matter, and in the meantime, to allow Daniel to be released with an ankle monitor ahead of giving birth to her baby boy due at the end of the month.

How have officials responded?

AL.com reached out to the offices of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and Coosa County Sheriff Michael Howell regarding Daniel's pregnancy, but both declined comment. Coosa County District Attorney Jeff Willis said the matter is being investigated, but said he cannot discuss the case.