December 27, 2013

Dementia patient jailed for 5-year-old seat belt citation

(KMOV) – A 72-year-old Dementia patient in Illinois was thrown in jail for an unpaid seat belt ticket that dated back five years.

Family members of the woman said they called police because they wanted officer to check in on her. When officers arrived at the woman’s home, they ran her ID and noticed she had a bench warrant for the 5-year-old ticket.

She admitted she could not pay the bond so officers hauled her to jail. The family said the officers should have recognized her condition and used better judgment.

I was so angry, I was just angry at the procedure. I never would’ve imagined in a million years that they would’ve arrested a 72-year-old woman,” said daughter, Jeanette Byrd.

The woman was in jail for nearly two hours before her grandson paid her $242 bond.

Police are standing by their decision to jail her but her family believes it’s time to change their procedure.