Orange County: A French Lick man was arrested early this morning after he had escaped overnight from the Orange County Jail.
Sometime between 10:00 P.M. Tuesday night and 2:00 A.M. Wednesday morning, 33 year old Denny Kellems, Jr. of French Lick escaped from the Orange County Jail in Paoli. After his escape, Kellems confronted a female in Paoli, battered her and stole her vehicle.
Officers with the Paoli Police Department were able to locate the stolen vehicle in French Lick, and contacted the State Police for K9 assistance. As officers were patrolling the area looking for Kellems, Paoli Officer Brandon Mesarosh located Kellems near the Edgewood Apartments in French Lick. Kellems approached Mesarosh and began stabbing himself in the throat. Senior Trooper Robbie Lambert, who had medical supplies with him, provided treatment to Kellems until emergency medical services arrived.
Kellems was transported to IU Health in Paoli for treatment. Charges against Kellems are pending and further details and information regarding the escape and actions after are forthcoming, as the case is still actively under investigation by State Police detectives and members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department
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* Attached photograph is a prior jail photo of Kellems
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
