LARNED — Rebecca Bird-Heiman, 49 of Deerfield, appeared in custody Friday morning in the Pawnee County District Court before Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell for a felony first appearance.
The defendant is charged with aggravated escape from custody, felony interference with law enforcement, driving under the influence (third offense), driving while suspended, no liability insurance and transporting an open container.
Pawnee County Attorney Douglas W. McNett reports that the charges stem from a traffic stop by the Kansas Highway Patrol during the earlier morning hours of Aug. 10, near the Fort Larned National Historic Site on K-156.
“It is alleged that after being arrested on the suspicion of driving under the influence, while handcuffed Bird-Heiman fled on foot into the banks of the Pawnee River,” McNett stated in a news release. “She was returned to custody approximately eight and a half hours later near the same location and treated for minor injuries.
KHP was assisted in the search by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Park Rangers, Larned Police Department, Kansas Department of Corrections personnel, Barton County Sheriff’s Office and Larned Fire & EMS.
Pawnee County Sheriff Scott King had posted information about Bird-Heiman’s escape and subsequent arrest on Facebook.
“Yesterday was a great example of what can be achieved through teamwork and immediate notification!” King stated, praising the agencies involved for the positive outcome in the capture of the arrestee.
“Through the combined efforts, a perimeter was set up in the area, Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office then set up a command post at Camp Pawnee. The deployment of assets included personnel from all the agencies mentioned, with a search of the area. Three drones were activated, and both state and local K-9s conducted searches of the area. State Patrol aircraft, as well as a river boat provided by Barton County Sheriff’s Office, were also utilized in the search. Additionally, the State Hospital and KDOC were notified to allow them to activate their protocols, and the Farmer’s Alert was broadcast to local farmers in the area.”
King also thanked the Larned Dillons store for providing food and water to the first responders at no cost.
The end result was that no one was hurt, and the arrestee was captured, medically cleared, then taken to the Pawnee County Jail.
At Bird-Heiman’s court appearance, Judge Cowell advised her of the charges, the possible penalties if convicted and her constitutional rights, including the right to counsel. If convicted, under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines the defendant faces between seven months and 23 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections, depending on criminal history.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 27. Bird-Heiman is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of $7,500 bond.
