A mother of five from Texas recently faced legal trouble because she allegedly did not return library books on time. Kaylee Morgan, a resident of Grimes County, borrowed books about Vincent van Gogh from the Navasota Public Library in March 2023. However, despite her claims of returning all borrowed items, Morgan encountered unexpected repercussions.
Morgan's simple trip to renew her driver's license took a surprising turn when she discovered a warrant for overdue library books, which she initially laughed about. In a Facebook video, Morgan was perplexed by the situation because she had never been pulled over or received tickets. Morgan contacted local authorities to resolve the issue.
She contacted the courts and learned that the warrant was issued for the theft of government property, classified as a Class C misdemeanor. Additionally, she is confronted with a fine that her family cannot manage with their sole income.
According to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Morgan was hit with a bill totaling $569.50, comprising fines and court fees, for two library books valued at $60. Furthermore, she faced a city ordinance violation charge and a threatening notice of an active arrest warrant.
In a meeting with the county judge, Morgan explained her circumstances, highlighting her responsibilities as a homeschooling mother and her health challenges during the time of the book return. She explained that she had returned most books, but one was too large for the return box, and when she tried to return it, the system was down. She also mentioned being pregnant with complications at the time, leading to delays.
The judge showed little sympathy, likening the situation to theft and insisting on Morgan taking responsibility. Consequently, Morgan's record indicated she stole government property, which she found absurd. Morgan mentioned that she offered to cover the cost of the book, but the judge stated it was too late for that.
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Morgan garnered community support, raising over $1,300 through GoFundMe to settle the fines. With plans to seek legal assistance to clear her record, Morgan remained determined to rectify the situation. She shared that she received mostly positive support from the community, although some were skeptical about her claims.
Morgan told 11Alive News that many mothers have mentioned canceling their library cards for fear of facing similar situations. She highlighted unpredictable life events like accidents or family emergencies that could prevent timely book returns, questioning whether such circumstances should lead to imprisonment. She found the consequences excessive.
According to the Daily Mail, the fundraiser has passed $1,400 by Tuesday evening. Morgan has updated her GoFundMe page, saying she has found a lawyer for her case and set a new goal to cover legal costs. Any extra money will go to the Smithville Public Library. Since her ordeal, Morgan has received support from strangers, with one person hopeful for her success and criticizing the government's actions.
As per a Navasota City regulation, failing to return library books within 30 days of the due date might result in the revocation of your library card. Furthermore, causing damage to or destroying books could incur a fine of up to $500. Morgan believed this regulation was overly harsh. She is considering initiating a petition to modify it.
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