BEDFORD — A Bedford woman who has been accused of violating the terms of her court-ordered electronic monitoring is facing a felony escape charge, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by local authorities.
Court documents state that Melissa A. Andis, 40, was placed on electronic monitoring on Jan. 18, 2024, in connection with two criminal cases in Lawrence County. As part of the program, she was required to follow strict travel and scheduling rules set by the Lawrence County Community Corrections Electronic Monitoring Program.
According to the affidavit submitted by Lawrence County Community Corrections Officer Emily Tumey, Andis allegedly made several unauthorized stops while on home detention between late March and early April 2024.
Authorities say GPS monitoring data showed that on March 28, Andis stopped at the Lawrence County Jail around 5:43 p.m. and at an Arby’s restaurant in Bedford at 5:18 p.m., neither of which were approved locations.
Two days later, on March 30, she allegedly made an unauthorized stop at Hoosier Hills Credit Union in Bedford at 5:26 p.m., followed by another stop at the Lawrence County Jail at 5:57 p.m.
Investigators say additional violations occurred on April 4, when Andis was only authorized to travel to Walmart and IGA in Bedford. GPS data reportedly shows she instead stopped at Hoosier Hills Credit Union at 5:07 p.m. and later at the Lawrence County Jail at 5:30 p.m. Officials say jail surveillance footage shows her arriving at the facility, exiting her vehicle, and entering the building. On the same day, authorities say she also returned home more than an hour late, arriving at 8:09 p.m. instead of her scheduled 7:00 p.m. return time.
Additional alleged violations occurred on April 6, when Andis left her residence and traveled to several unauthorized locations, including the JayC parking lot, Hamilton Court Apartments, and another stop at the Lawrence County Jail, according to GPS data and surveillance footage.
The affidavit also outlines incidents on April 9, when Andis was authorized to travel to Crowder’s Pharmacy, the Lawrence County Probation Department, the Lawrence County Health Department, and her first day of work at the Super 8 Hotel on Bellback Road. Authorities say she instead made several additional stops, including a residence on 18th Street, the Hampton Inn, and a McDonald’s restaurant in Bedford.
Investigators allege the repeated unauthorized movements violated the terms of Andis’s home detention agreement, which she acknowledged and signed when entering the electronic monitoring program.
As a result, authorities say there is probable cause to believe Andis committed escape, a Level 6 felony, and failure to return to lawful detention, also a Level 6 felony, under Indiana law.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
