MITCHELL – A Mitchell woman was arrested late Saturday night after allegedly kicking in a door at a residence and then leaving with a child.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Mitchell Police Officer Garrett Jacobs, Shawna R. Morris, 35, was taken into custody on April 27 on a criminal mischief charge.
On the night of Saturday, April 26, at approximately 9:08 p.m., Officer Jacobs was dispatched to a residence in the 900 block of Wright Street in response to a 911 hang-up call. The caller, identified as a 38-year-old man, stated that Morris had broken down his door and taken their 4-year-old son from the residence. The male reported that Morris was under the influence of alcohol. Officer Jacobs searched the area for Morris’s vehicle but could not locate it.
Officer Jacobs then went to the caller’s residence to speak with him about the incident. He informed Officer Jacobs that Morris lived at Persimmon Park Apartments in Mitchell. He then showed the officer the damaged door, explaining that Morris had kicked it in. Officer Jacobs took photos of the damage, and the male also stated that Morris had taken a piece of the broken door with her. Officer Jacobs told Gilbert he would attempt to locate Morris at her apartment later.
At approximately 11:52 p.m., Officer Jacobs located Morris’s vehicle parked in front of her apartment building at Persimmon Park. He knocked on Morris’s door multiple times and announced himself, but received no answer. After speaking with neighbors who provided information about other apartments Morris had visited, Officer Jacobs attempted to locate her in those units, with the residents’ permission, but was unsuccessful.
The male victim then arrived at Persimmon Park, stating that Morris had accidentally dialed him and that he was there to try to find her and their son. Neighbors suggested that Morris might have left the area through a back door. They contacted the apartment complex’s maintenance, and a representative arrived to unlock Morris’s apartment due to concerns about the child being left alone.
Upon entering the apartment and announcing his presence, Officer Jacobs heard movement in the back. Morris emerged from a bedroom, showing signs of having recently woken up. Officer Jacobs explained the situation and asked her about the earlier incident and whether she had been drinking and driving. He then asked to see her son to ensure his well-being, finding the child asleep and unharmed in a bedroom.
Morris told Officer Jacobs that she had been at the male’s residence and claimed that he “tries to get me riled up and wouldn’t let me in.” She stated that she “bumped into the door to open it” and showed the officer a piece of wood from the door, corroborating the male caller’s account. Morris claimed the door was “barely hanging on” when she bumped into it. Officer Jacobs informed her she was being arrested for the damage.
The male victim inquired about who would care for her son. Officer Jacobs informed her that the male was on scene and would take custody of the child. Morris mentioned that the male had previously accused her of driving under the influence when he thought she was being “irrational.” Officer Jacobs then asked Morris if she would be willing to take a preliminary breath test (PBT) to verify her sobriety at the time of driving, to which she agreed. The PBT result showed a blood alcohol content of .03, below the legal limit for driving.
After the PBT, Officer Jacobs informed the male that he could come inside to retrieve his son. Morris was then escorted to the police vehicle and transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
