Nationwide — Connie Weeden, a 59-year-old grandmother from Slidell, Louisiana, was arrested for allegedly helping her grandson, Jermaine Donald, after he escaped from the Orleans Justice Center. Authorities say she sent him money through a mobile payment app before his arrest in Texas. State police arrested Weeden in Slidell and booked her into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. She was charged as an accessory after the fact and later posted bond, according to WDSU.
Donald was one of ten inmates who escaped from the New Orleans jail by cutting through a cell wall. He was later caught in Texas on May 6th along with fellow escapees Lenton Vanburen Jr. and Leo Tate. Police said a high-speed chase led to their arrest.
Before escaping, Donald was facing charges for second-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm. After his capture, he was also charged with escape and resisting arrest. Tate now faces escape charges as well, in addition to his original obstruction of justice case.
Meanwhile, eight of the ten escapees have reportedly been recaptured. So far, 13 people have been charged for helping the fugitives, both from inside the facility and outside.