Pregnant escapee turns self in

Recent Local News

Related Photos

Bridgette Sims

Discussion

Add a comment on this story

September 25, 2012

Pregnant escapee turns self in

Missing woman escaped from police custody at hospital

By CHRIS MORRIS chris.morris@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Tue Sep 25, 2012, 07:30 AM EDT

NEW ALBANY — Bridgette Sims is back in the custody of the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department.

Sims, 23, turned herself in to officers at about 4 p.m. Monday at the New Albany Plaza along State Street. She is eight months pregnant and had been wanted by police since escaping their custody on Friday.

Sims was arrested Friday on shoplifting and possession charges. Officers charged her with stealing $105 worth of goods, which included wigs, Halloween costumes and a wallet from the Grant Line Road Walmart. She was also found in possession of a pill determined to be a controlled substance, New Albany police said.

According to an incident report from the sheriff’s office, while at the hospital to be medically evaluated following her arrest, Sims asked the Floyd County Correctional Officer who was watching her if she could use the bathroom. However, she never came out of the bathroom and apparently escaped through another door without being seen.

Maj. Jeff Topping with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department said surveillance video was obtained that showed Sims crossing Bono Road on the east side of the hospital wearing only a hospital gown.

Since her escape, Floyd County Sheriff Darrell Mills said at a press conference Monday afternoon he worked “diligently” with Sims’ family members to try and get them to convince her to surrender. He said she finally agreed to turn herself in at New Albany Plaza.

Mills said Sims was not considered a threat to society, but authorities were concerned for her and her unborn child’s welfare.

After having medical tests completed Monday, Sims was taken to the Floyd County Jail. Her first court hearing is scheduled for today.

“She said she just freaked out,” said Mills when asked the reasons why Sims escaped. “She said she got scared. If I was to speculate I would say she was under the influence of narcotics” which is why she may have left the hospital.

Sims, who has two other children, now faces a felony charge of escape to go along with the shoplifting and possession charges.

“She seems like a caring person. She just freaked out. That is her term,” Mills said.

Police are still searching for Sims’ boyfriend, Chris Gentry, who is wanted on a warrant for violation of probation. Mills said he would like to have him in custody soon.

“We are diligently looking for him,” he said.

Mills said the deputy in charge of Sims at the hospital followed procedures. He said since the deputy was a male, he was at a disadvantage when Sims asked to use the bathroom. He said his agency has learned from the incident and that he doesn’t expect it to happen again.

— Staff Writer Gary Popp contributed to this story