Baxter County inmate accused of hitting matron with crutch, attempting to leave jail

A Baxter County Detention Center inmate facing multiple charges for fighting with authorities is now accused of hitting a jail matron with a crutch and attempting to leave the facility. Forty-two-year-old Katherine Bale of Mountain Home is facing additional charges of second-degree battery on a police officer, second-degree escape from a correctional facility and imparing the operations of a vital public facility.

According to an incident report, a Baxter County jailer had returned from escorting a female to Baxter Health early Saturday morning when she received a report of Bale walking out of her pod. Bale reportedly went to the booking area as the matron was conducting a cell check. The matron entered the booking area and ran past Bale to the inner booking door leading to the sally port where the inmate was allegedly attempting to walk out.

Bale reportedly refused the matron’s instructions to return to her pod. When the matron attempted to escort Bale, she allegedly jerked away, took her right crutch and struck the matron on her left shin.

After a state trooper at the detention center walked over and advised Bale not to repeat her action, she walked to the booking door and allegedly attempted to open it to leave, but it was secured. The reporting jailer entered the booking area, and Bale once again refused commands to return to her pod. A patrol deputy was contacted to assist, and as they attempted to return Bale to her cell, she allegedly attempted to swing her crutches at the deputy and the state trooper. The jailer gained control of the crutches, and Bale was carried to her pod. When she was placed in the cell, she again swung her crutches. The deputy advised Bale she would be tased if her behavior continued.

The jailer later advised the jail administrator Bale’s crutches needed to be taken away from her since she was reportedly walking without any issues, and she used them as a weapon on multiple occasions. Multiple deputies and jailers went to retrieve the crutches. Despite Bale’s insistance, the crutches were removed without incident.

Bale has been incarcerated since April 16 for allegedly fighting with police, including kicking one in the groin, hitting one in the jaw and attempting to bite officers several times. She’s already facing three felony counts of battery on a law-enforcement officer and misdemeanor charges of terroristic threatening, resisting arrest, impairing the operations of a vital public facility and disorderly conduct. Her bond has been increased to $25,000.

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