By C1 Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Shawnee County Jail in Kansas went on lockdown this morning after an inmate’s mother sent a death threat by telephone.
CJ Online reports that Cathy Thomas’ son, Anthony Stapleton, killed himself in the facility while incarcerated in 2002.
Thomas accused staff of “brutally [killing] her son” and threatened to arrive at the jail “with a high-powered rifle.”
Authorities say suspect is in custody...jail gradually coming off lockdown. #wibw pic.twitter.com/vQAM5ih0CM
— Doug Brown (@wibwDoug) February 13, 2015
She’s since been arrested for her threats. Before her apprehension, armed officers patrolled the facility’s grounds. The lockdown ended around 11:45 a.m.
Thomas filed suits against the jail after her son’s death, but a federal judge dismissed the case in 2005.