CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — The mother of a murdered 19-year-old is speaking out after learning the man convicted in her daughter’s death was mistakenly released from jail.

Christina Grayson spoke to 11Alive on Wednesday, just one day after she was notified that Kathan Guzman, the man convicted of killing her daughter, Delila Grayson, had been let out of the Clayton County Jail.

“How does this happen?” Christina Grayson said. “I am petrified for my life. I mean, obviously, a life didn’t mean a thing to him.”

Delila Grayson was found strangled in the bathtub of her Riverdale apartment on August 7, 2022. 

The apartment was located in the 8100 block of Webb Road. Hours after discovering her body, authorities arrested Guzman — her then-boyfriend, who she had been living with at the time.

Christina Grayson said Guzman’s trial took place in October 2024. She said he was convicted in the case. And on October 25, she gave a victim’s impact statement before Guzman was sentenced to 30 years in prison for her daughter’s murder.

But on Tuesday afternoon, around 3 p.m., Christina Grayson said she received a call informing her that Guzman had been released from custody.  According to her, the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office told her that their system showed Guzman was released on March 27.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office had not issued any public notice regarding Guzman’s release, only stating it is an “ongoing investigation.” 

Christina Grayson said she was told a coding error caused Guzman to be released. 

The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed to 11Alive that they have been contacted and are now assisting the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office in locating Guzman.

The Department of Corrections said they had no scheduled transport for Guzman. 

Wednesday night, Clayton County District Attorney Tasha Mosley said her office learned around lunchtime Tuesday about the release from the Department of Corrections. She said she’s frustrated by what happened. 

“I am not happy about this mistake made by a sheriff’s office employee,” Mosley said. “My staff worked hard to get justice for the victim’s family and to make our streets safe and we are just disappointed.”

Christina Grayson believes Guzman should be considered extremely dangerous. 

“Considering seeing what he did to Delilah, I would say that the public is in imminent danger. He would have gotten away with taking her life if it wasn’t for the neighbors beneath them coming out and taking a glimpse of him,” she said. 

Anyone who has information on Guzman’s whereabouts or may have seen him is asked to call 911.