An escaped Putnam County inmate turned herself back in to the Sheriff’s Office Wednesday evening. Shortly before 3pm Wednesday, 62-year-old Gladys Marie Melton, who was in custody, walked away from Cookeville Regional Hospital where she was waiting to be treated after suffering from stroke-like symptoms.
Melton was incarcerated at Putnam County Jail for Violation of Probation and her original charge was Introduction of Contraband into the Putnam County Jail. She was not considered to be dangerous.
The Sheriff’s Office issued an update that Melton had received a ride to a church in Cookeville where staff encouraged her to go back to the Sheriff’s Office, which she did.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is investigating how Melton was able to walk off from the hospital along with any assistance she may have received in order to do so. (Photos courtesy PCSO.)