A woman in Texas received an arrest warrant due to some overdue library books, though she claims that she was there to return them on time.
Kaylee Morgan, a resident of Grimes County, Texas, found herself entangled in a legal ordeal stemming from two books she borrowed from Navasota Public Library in March 2023, which reportedly centered on the life and works of Vincent van Gogh.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Morgan confirmed her efforts to return all borrowed materials but faced a predicament when one oversized book couldn't fit into the library's return box.
Court documents obtained by Fox News Digital revealed that despite the combined value of the books amounting to just $60, Morgan was slapped with a hefty bill totaling $569.50, mainly comprising fines and court fees.
Additionally, she was charged with a city ordinance violation, culminating in an alarming notice threatening arrest.
"Warrant is ACTIVE for Your Arrest. Act Now to Avoid Going to Jail," read the ominous document.
However, Morgan remained oblivious to the months-old legal entanglement until a routine visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) last week, where she discovered she was unable to renew her driver's license due to an outstanding warrant for her arrest.
In a video shared on Facebook, Morgan expressed her disbelief, saying: "So I go in and the DMV tells me that they cannot renew my license because I have a warrant out for my arrest, and I audibly laugh," per the New York Post.
Further exacerbating the situation, Morgan recalled her conversation with court officials, who informed her of the overdue library books as the root cause of the warrant.
Despite detailing her circumstances to the county judge, citing her homeschooling responsibilities and a challenging pregnancy at the time of the books' due date, Morgan faced unsympathetic responses.
"[The judge] told me she didn’t want to hear my excuses, that I needed to take responsibility," Morgan said.
The judge remained firm, emphasizing the warrant's validity and its implications for Morgan's driving privileges.
She expressed concerns about potential arrests in front of her children, given the unresolved matter.
To alleviate the financial burden of the court proceedings, Morgan started a GoFundMe page which has since raised $1890.
Writing an update on April 1, Morgan said: "I found a lawyer who will take my case and help me fight this! The new goal is $3,000 so I can pay him. Y’all wish us luck! Additionally whatever we have leftover (if we get extra $$$) will be donated to the Smithville Public Library."
