Woman sentenced to months in prison in Clark County jail escape case

A woman was sentenced to serve time in prison in connection to her attempted escape from the Clark County Jail.

Jennifer Tate, 30, of Kettering, was convicted in Clark County Common Pleas Court of a charge of escape and was sentenced to serve 30 months in prison. She was given 279 days — about nine months — of jail time credit served.

She was also ordered to pay and court costs and fees, according to the record.

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Tate’s legal troubles began Sept. 4, 2018, when she was an inmate of the Clark County Jail and attempted to get away. She allegedly escaped the jail through a fence, according to law enforcement, but was captured about 26 minutes later.

She had severely injured herself in the process, authorities said.

Tate had been with inmates from a different housing unit who were on recreation when she bolted, according to a statement Lt. Kris Shultz Criminal Investigations Commander released on the day of the escape. Tate continued to run before deputies inside the Modular Housing Units, beneath the Public Safety Building, could catch her.

Tate was originally in jail on charges of theft and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Deputies spotted her in the parking lot of the Springfield Art Museum on North Fountain Avenue — she had just emerged from wading across Buck Creek, according to the sheriff’s office. She tried to run again as they approached, but her injuries prevented her from eluding capture.

She was treated by Springfield fire/rescue personnel and then taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center. She confessed to detectives there, citing family issues as the reason for her escape, according to the sheriff’s office.

Tate is currently listed as an inmate in the Clark County Jail.

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