March 28, 2024

Accomplice wanted in inmate escape

A warrant has been issued for an accomplice in the Jan. 23 escape of an inmate at the Newton Correction Release Center.

Jennifer E. Mitchell, 18, of Des Moines, is wanted for escape from custody after officers determined she picked up inmate Edward N. Shorter from the facility.

Shorter was not present during routine count at 1:50 p.m. that day at the Newton Correctional Release Center and it was later determined he escaped from the facility.

During the investigation authorities discovered Shorter had called Mitchell and told her where to park to pick him up and she did participate in the escape, according to a sheriff’s office report.

Shorter was found in Des Moines that evening and was transported back to the Newton facility. Shorter is serving a 20-year sentence for two counts of possession of controlled substance and two counts of prohibited acts-controlled substance from Polk County. Mitchell remains at-large.