Austin Co. woman fearful after Harris Co. judge grants her stepdaughter a get out of jail free card

Bellville is about an hour and 20-minute drive from Houston.

Bellville resident Melissa Reiland says her life has been impacted by a judge in Harris County.

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"After hearing the news over and over again for years about this problem in Harris County, I didn't think it would happen to me, but low and behold, here it is," she said.

Melissa contacted FOX 26 about her 27-year-old stepdaughter Grace Amis.

"She's been in trouble with the law. She's been to prison," Melissa said.

Amis had an open warrant in Harris County for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

"All of a sudden, we had knocking asking, where's Grace Amis?" said Melissa. "She went to Austin County Jail, and then, Harris County transfered her on Wednesday. She saw the judge and was immediately released on a PR bond at 3 a.m. She was shoved out the door."

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Melissa says Amis has threatened her life.

"She has on multiple occasions," she said. "Even just recently when she was in Austin County."

"How do you justify giving someone a PR bond when they've been to prison?" said Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers. "A PR bond should be given to someone who's basically charged with a nonviolent crime, but doesn't have a criminal history."

Melissa says her stepdaughter stole her gun.

"She then threatened my life, and told me when she gets out she's going to kill me," she said.

Melissa says she's filed reports with the Austin County District Attorney's Office for the theft and threats.

"We're just everyday normal people," she said. "It's happening everywhere. It's spreading out to surrounding counties, because Harris County can't keep their stuff straight."

The Source: FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace spoke with the suspect's stepmother as well as Harris County Crime Stoppers about the case. 

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