Marion County inmate mistakenly released after ID theft

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Authorities say a woman charged with drug offenses has escaped from the Marion County Jail by assuming the identity of another inmate who was scheduled to be released.

According to court documents, the jail mistakenly released 34-year-old Jessica M. Stringer after she stole the other inmate's wristband while she was asleep.

The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/1Kgi4sV ) the mix-up happened just one day after the Marion County Sheriff's Office announced changes in response to a recent spate of mistaken releases and jail deaths.

Stringer had been jailed on charges of possession of methamphetamine and other drug-related offenses.

Officials realized the mistake when the other inmate alerted them that her wristband was missing.

Stringer now faces felony counts of escape, forgery and identity deception.

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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com