DALTON, Ga. — Dalton High School teacher Randal Davidson, who police say fired a shot through a classroom window at the school on Feb. 28, was returned to the Whitfield County jail Tuesday morning after being released on bond on March 15 for psychiatric evaluation and treatment.

Davidson was released on a $10,000 bond with special conditions and had an electronic ankle monitor while he was away from the jail. As part of the conditions of the consent order issued by Superior Court Judge Cindy Morris, if Davidson was released from a mental health facility he was “to return from such facility to the Whitfield County jail unless otherwise directed by this court in writing.”

Davidson’s attorney Richard Murray said he is happy Davidson was returned to the jail. Davidson was under an involuntary commitment and Murray said he is no longer considered a suicide risk. Murray said Davidson had been at the Ridgeview Institute in Smyrna, a “private hospital treating people with addiction and mental health problems,” according to the institute’s website.

“The only reason he is back in jail is that he got better,” Murray said. “Under the order, he was being held (at Ridgeview) until he was deemed to be no longer a threat. At this point, we are looking for a facility where he can continue under observation for an extended period.”

Murray said Davidson was taken for evaluation at Emory in Atlanta for inpatient treatment but said he was denied admittance because of an “insurance issue.” 

“We are working on Plan B now to find a facility,” Murray said. “Hopefully we can get him into another facility in the next several days.”

“In the meantime, he’s staying in jail per the original order,” District Attorney Bert Poston wrote in an email Tuesday. Poston said a new order could be issued on Wednesday. 

Murray said when Davidson is released from jail the next time, it will be for a long-term care facility and he expects Davidson to be there “at least 90 days if not more.”

“He still has a long way to go,” Murray said

Murray issued a statement the day after Davidson was transferred from the jail, saying Davidson suffered a “mental breakdown” on Feb. 28, calling it “the worst moment of his worst day during the worst season” of Davidson’s life. Murray said the incident was “a desperate cry for help to end his misery” and that Davidson was “devastated, profoundly regretful and deeply apologetic.” No one else was in the classroom when the shot was fired.

Davidson is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, carrying a weapon on school property, reckless conduct, disrupting a public school and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.