By Frank Lewis
A Pike County woman is facing a charge of possession of drugs – schedule 1 or 2 substance — after an incident last week in the Scioto County Jail. According to the official report, Hannah E. Risner, 23, of 2522 Ohio 220, Piketon, was brought into the jail by a trooper from the Ohio State Highway Patrol at around 10:53 p.m. Friday night. At around 10:58 p.m. the woman was searched and at 11:01 p.m. placed in a holding cell.
The report says at 4:22 a.m. during a check by a deputy, Risner was reportedly found slouched over with a syringe in her hand. Deputies attempted to obtain a response from her and when they were unable to, emergency medical services were called in.
Later deputies checked on Risner and, according to the report, found her sitting up and responding. The report says Risner confessed to injecting herself with morphine.
Captain John Murphy of the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office explained how the incident happened after the woman was incarcerated, telling the Daily Times that drugs are sometimes smuggled into the facility through body cavities.
“We cannot do a cavity search unless they are suspicious,” Murphy said. “When someone comes into the jail we do a pat-down search and frisk them that way. That person (Risner) was in the process of trying to bond out.” She later was released after signing her own recognizance.
Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewis.
