PAWNEE COUNTY—A Southwest Kansas woman who fled an arrest during a traffic stop made her first court appearance in the case.
Rebecca Bird-Heiman, 49 of Deerfield, Kansas, was charged with Aggravated Escape from Custody, Felony Interference with Law Enforcement, Driving Under the Influence (3rd Offense), Driving While Suspended, No Liability Insurance and Transporting Open Container, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.
The charges stem from a traffic stop by the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) during the earlier morning hours of August 10, 2021, near the Fort Larned National Historical Site on K156 Highway. 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. 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 Dept, KDOC personnel, Barton County Sheriff's Office, and Larned Fire & EMS.
A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for August 27, 2021. The defendant is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of $7,500 bond, according to McNett.