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Woman Reported Missing Found In Courthouse Lock-Up

HASTINGS (WWJ/AP) - Authorities say a western Michigan woman reported missing was discovered in a court lock-up, where she had been for about six hours.

Tara Mathis appeared before a Barry County probate judge Wednesday afternoon and was ordered to pay $246 in child support or spend 24 days in jail. When Mathis said she couldn't pay, she was placed in a holding area for transfer to the county jail.

Hours later, officers were called to a home in Hastings about a missing person, who turned out to be Mathis. Officers then went to the courthouse and found Mathis in the holding area.

According to authorities, Mathis had been placed in the holding area while awaiting transport to the jail. The deputy who moved Mathis to the holding cell was ending his shift and apparently forgot to tell the deputy relieving him that Mathis needed to go to the jail.

Mathis remained in the holding cell until the courthouse closed and was left alone inside the building at the end of the business day.

After being located, Mathis was booked into the jail and posted bond the same night, police said.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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