A Springfield woman is free thanks to the good graces of Sheriff Jack Merritt and her unborn baby.
Merritt released her from jail twice against a judge's orders because of what he calls a "high risk" pregnancy.
Sheriffs certainly don't have the authority to overturn a judge's ruling, and Merritt admits that.
But still, that's basically what he did.
"If they're not fit to be held in jail, need more medical attention or hospitalization, then we're not responsible for that,” explains Merritt.
32-year-old Jennifer Jansen Van Vuren is now responsible for herself.
“I think her due date is November 27th,” Merritt tells KSPR.
Van Vuren is more than eight months pregnant, and that was her ticket to freedom.
“There’s so many risks; it was such a high risk situation."
Merritt says Van Vuren couldn't post bail and it was very likely she could give birth there.
“I understand the decision; I understand why it happened.”
City attorney Dan Wichmer got involved because Van Vuren is a city inmate.
Under an agreement between Springfield and the county the city pays for its inmates immediate medical costs.
“We decided to err on the side of avoiding thousands of dollars of medical bills” by asking the judge to reverse his ruling.
City officials say the root of the problem is really the jail because it's always operating at least 40 above capacity, and it becomes acceptable to release some non-violent offenders.
Van Vuren *is* considered non-violent, but she has a long rap sheet, including a pending felony in Christian County.
Plus, she was picked up this time for failure to appear in court.
Wichmer explains, “It’s not a decision we take any pride in. It was something we had to do given the potential cost to the taxpayers."
Because the judge agreed to reverse his ruling Merritt will not be held in contempt in court.
There is also a Missouri statute that offers him some protection; it allows the sheriff to turn away inmates unfit to be confined.