Mom indicted for assisting in son’s escape from court

Posted on 1/11/2010

Defendant: Rebecca J. Gardner

The Franklin County Grand Jury has returned a two (2) count indictment on Rebecca J. Gardner, the mother of the 17 year old juvenile who escaped from a downtown courtroom last week. Gardner, age 40, brought her son to Franklin County Juvenile Court last week to appear in front of Magistrate Cindi Sours-Morehart on three charges: WUD, Improper Transportation of a Firearm and Burglary. During the hearing, the Magistrate ordered that the juvenile be remanded into the custody of the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center for the felony charges filed against him. Shortly thereafter, the teen fled from the courtroom, and it is alleged that the mother physically blocked court personnel from attempting to apprehend the fleeing teenager. Gardner has been indicted on one (1) count of Escape (F-2) and one (1) count of Obstructing Justice (F-3).

The Arraignment for Rebecca Gardner is set for Monday, January 11^th, at 1:30 pm in courtroom 1B. Rebecca Gardner is not in jail, however, Gardner’s son is currently in the custody of the Detention Center.