On Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at approximately 3:02 p.m., Whiteside County Deputies responded to a wooded area just north of Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL, for a report of a possible deceased subject. Upon arrival, Deputies found a deceased older female lying in the snow. Janet Sims, 65, of Rock Falls, IL, was identified as the deceased.
There is no indication of foul play.
Sims had been arrested for Contempt of Court days before and was sentenced to serve five days in the Whiteside County Jail. At 6:00 a.m. on Monday, November 24, the Sheriff’s Office was Court ordered to release her. Sims sat in the lobby for 3.5 hours. The Sheriff’s Office could locate no one to pick her up.
Sims asked if she were free to go at that point and stated, “I want to go to the grocery store [across from the jail, Sullivan’s Foods].” No longer in custody since 6:00 that morning, she left the building.
Sims had brought none of her prescription medication with her when she appeared for sentencing. No family member brought her medication. Therefore, she took no medication for the five days of her incarceration.
Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Morrison Police, Illinois State Police Crime Scene, and the Whiteside County Coroner’s Office.