By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
A Glenn County Jail inmate who had been transported to a regional hospital for medical treatment, then later walked away from the facility, was recaptured the very next day.
According to the Orland Police Department, at about 11:46 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19, Orland police officers contacted Brittany Danielle Glass, 34, of Orland (the Glenn County Jail and the Glenn County Sheriff’s log state that she is from Willows) while she was sitting in a silver Acura SUV in the 800 block of Walker Street.
She was arrested for two felony Glenn County warrants, and was also allegedly found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.
One of her warrants was for alleged violation of probation. Bail for it was set at $20,000.
Her other warrant was for alleged failure to appear on a felony charge. Its bail was set at $30,000.
According to the OPD, officers also arrested Joseph Anthony Ortega, 43, of Orland, for alleged possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on his signed promise to appear.
The Acura was towed and stored.
While in custody, Glass suffered an acute medical emergency due to a preexisting medical condition.
On Thursday, Sept. 21, she was taken to Glenn Medical Center, where she was seen in the emergency room. It was determined that she needed to be hospitalized, but Glenn Medical Center did not have any bed space available.
However, it was found there was space available at Colusa Regional Hospital, so Glass was transported by ambulance from Glenn Medical Center to the medical facility in the city of Colusa.
According to a press release from the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, Glass is a non-violent, low-level offender who was admitted to the hospital under the care of medical professionals until she could be deemed healthy enough to return to the Glenn County Jail.
The press release further stated, “Due to critically low staffing levels at the Glenn County Jail and Sheriff’s Office, staff were unavailable to stand by with Glass while she was convalescing. It was determined that medical staff would contact the Glenn County Jail when Glass became ambulatory and healthy enough to return to jail.”
On Monday, Sept. 25, Colusa Regional Hospital notified the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office that Glass was healthy enough to be returned to the Glenn County Jail.
While deputies were on their way to pick up Glass, she reportedly walked out of the hospital and “absconded from custody.” Colusa County and Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies checked the area around Colusa Regional Hospital, but they were unable to find Glass.
At about 8:25 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip that Glass was at 377 County Road D, in the rural area of Glenn County west of Willows. Sheriff’s deputies and the California Highway Patrol responded to the residence and Glass was taken into custody without incident.
In addition to the aforementioned warrants and charges, she was also charged with alleged escape from jail while charged with a felony. This felony added another $10,000 to her bail.
During the on-scene investigation, Glenn County resident Joseph Anthony Ortega, who was with Glass when she was initially taken into custody on Sept. 19, was arrested for allegedly harboring a fugitive (a felony). His bail was set at $10,000.
Both were transported and booked into the Glenn County Jail.
The Glenn County Observer 