Police: Pa. woman hid in coffin to escape custody

[May 19, 2010]  MIFFLINTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- Authorities say a Philadelphia woman hid in a coffin at a central Pennsylvania funeral home to escape custody. Nicole April Kelly was arraigned Monday on charges stemming from the escape.

Police say the 19-year-old Kelly was being transported to jail by Juniata County deputies on Thursday to await extradition to another county on other charges. Authorities say Kelly escaped from the deputies, prompting a search that lasted several hours.

Investigators say the owner of the Brown Funeral Home found her in the coffin and held her until police arrived.

Kelly remains jailed in lieu of $75,000 bail. It's not clear whether she has an attorney.

The funeral home is seek restitution for damage to the coffin.

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Information from: The Sentinel, http://www.lewistownsentinel.com/

[Associated Press]

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