Woman Accused of Harboring Runaways
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JACKSON, Tenn. – Jackson police have arrested and charged a woman after she allegedly harbored two runaways. According to a news release, Danielle Stephens, of Manchester, was arraigned Friday morning in Jackson City Court on charges of two counts of child abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and simple possession of marijuana. On Thursday around 11:50 a.m., Jackson police were dispatched to a home in the 400 block of Burkett Street regarding two children who were suspected runaways. Police reported finding Stephens, 23, and two minor girls inside the home asleep. Investigators determined that the two girls were 15-year-old runaways from Coffee County and Bedford County. Police believe the Coffee County runaway was Stephens’ niece and the Bedford County runaway was the niece’s friend. Stephens allegedly brought the girls to Jackson from Coffee County. They had been in Jackson for about three days. During that time, investigators believe Stephens gave the girls alcohol, marijuana and methamphetamine. While officers were on the scene, they reportedly found 3 grams of marijuana underneath a pillow, which they said Stephens admitted was hers. Stephens was transported to the Madison County Jail where she is being held on $25,000 bond. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on April 18. Police transported the runaways to the Madison County Juvenile Detention Center. They were picked up by Shelbyville authorities Friday morning and taken back home.
