Charleston police arrest woman after failing to return to jail from hospital

CHARLESTON, Ill. (WAND) - A woman with a history of violent crimes has been arrested for failing to return to the Coles County Jail after being permitted to leave for a hospital visit unaccompanied, according to the Charleston Police Department.

Charleston PD reports that Kricket Sowell currently faces 12 open charges. These charges include aggravated battery, domestic violence, meth possession, drug paraphernalia possession, retail theft, resisting arrest, and violation of bail bond.

Sowell had been in custody at the Coles County Jail but was granted a recognizance bail on December 1, allowing her to go to the hospital. Under the terms of this bail, she was required to return to the jail within an hour after being discharged from the hospital.

On December 15, authorities learned that Sowell was not at the hospital and had instead gone to a residence in the 1300 block of Davis Street. When officers attempted to rearrest her at this location, Sowell tried to flee but was caught.

The Charleston Police Department is unsure exactly when Sowell was released from the hospital or how long she had been out on her own.

WAND News has reached out to both the Coles County State's Attorney's Office and the Coles County Sheriff's Office to determine why Sowell was allowed to leave for the hospital without being in custody. We are currently awaiting responses from both offices.

Sowell is due back in court again in January.

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