From staff report

MIFFLINTOWN — A Juniata County woman facing charges that include theft of leased property and animal neglect, was extradited from Lake County, Montana, this week.

Melanie Barry, 48, of Mifflintown, was returned to Pennsylvania Thursday to answer to numerous outstanding charges, according to a release issued by the Juniata County sheriff’s office.

Barry was charged with theft of leased property, a felony of the third degree and upon conviction on Oct. 27, 2022, was sentenced to serve a sentence of 15 months to 42 months in a state correctional institution and pay cost of prosecution and restitution in the amount of $4,235.99.

Barry, who was on bail pending appeal, was court ordered to report on April 26, 2024 to start her sentence. Barry, in an attempt to elude authorities, took flight and fled the state of Pennsylvania and evaded the efforts of law enforcement for several months, the release states.

During this time, Barry received new charges from the Juniata County sheriff’s office, including default and required appearance, a felony of the third degree and flight to avoid apprehension, a felony of the third degree which the sheriff’s office holds an active arrest warrant for. Through efforts of the Juniata County sheriff’s office, Pennsylvania State Police and tips from the public, the Juniata County sheriff’s office was able to locate Barry.

The Juniata County sheriff’s office on March 3 made contact with Lake County Sheriff’s Office and requested assistance locating Barry. From the Lake County sheriff’s office reports provided, Deputies with the Lake County sheriff’s office made contact at the residence and ultimately secured a search warrant for the residence. Upon execution of the search warrant, it was discovered Barry had fled through a window into the snow. Deputies pursued the tracks through the snow and eventually Barry was located walking along Route 83, where she was detained. Barry and an accomplice were transported to Lake County detention center in Montana, where they were detained pending extradition.

Court documents in an animal neglect case that Barry is tied to state that she was denied bail due to being a flight risk. A preliminary hearing is set for 9:45 a.m. June 4.