A Joplin resident who is an inmate at the Saline County Jail has been charged with a felony for allegedly striking a jail staff member and trying to escape custody on September 12.
A probable-cause statement says Teresa Cowick repeatedly pushed the intercom button in her cell and was verbally warned to stop. She continued, so she was handcuffed to the “D-Ring.” However, she kept pushing the intercom button, and when the staff member looked in the cell, he could not see her. When he opened the cell door, Cowick reportedly ambushed him and struck him in the throat and tried to escape from the cell. Another jail staff member and a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper hurried to the aid of the staff member, and they eventually subdued Cowick and placed her in a restraint chair. The staff member who was struck in the throat was treated at the hospital for a contusion to his neck.
Online court documents say a warrant has been issued and Cowick has been charged with a Class D Felony for Escape or Attempted Escape from Confinement by Striking a Person. Bond has been set at $10,000 cash only with several conditions.
Cowick’s initial hearing at Saline County Circuit Court is pending.