Woman arrested for disturbing the peace at child custody hearing in Van Zandt County

CANTON, Texas (KLTV) – Deputies with the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office have arrested a 40-year-old woman accused of assaulting a bailiff during a custody hearing at the courthouse.

According to sheriff's office spokesman Lt. Brandon Kilpatrick, the sheriff's office received an alert at 2:39 p.m. that assistance was needed at the county courthouse. Texas DPS also assisted with the incident.

Kilpatrick said a woman was causing a disturbance at a custody hearing and Judge Joshua Wintters ordered a bailiff to take her into custody. Kilpatrick said the woman resisted arrest and attacked the bailiff. The bailiff was able to take the woman into custody. Wintters found the woman guilty and gave custody to the sheriff's office.

The woman was taken to jail where she faces charges of assault on an officer, resisting arrest and must serve 180 days in jail for contempt of court.

The bailiff did not require medical treatment. Kilpatrick said they would not release any information about how he was attacked.

“We would like to thank the Canton Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office investigators for their assistance in responding,” Kilpatrick said.

The woman's identity will be kept secret until her case in prison is fully processed.

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