A court-ordered resident of the Traditional Living Center who failed to return to the West Third Street facility is behind bars, along with her boyfriend who allegedly helped her hide for nearly two weeks, according to state police.
Sherry Lee Wise, 48, has been charged with felony escape after she failed to return to the halfway house on the night of May 17.
She was taken into custody at the Timberland Apartments in the city on the afternoon of May 29, when she was discovered hiding under some clothes on the second floor of an apartment, police said.
When state troopers went there, her boyfriend, John Kevin Derr, also 48, answered the door.
"Is Sherry here," a trooper asked him.
"Sherry who," he asked back.
When the trooper explained further who they were looking for and that Wise was wanted for escape, Derr still denied knowing her, police said.
A trooper then entered the apartment, went upstairs and located the escapee under some clothes, police said.
Police allege Wise and Derr had been together since the night she failed to return to the living center. The two reportedly had been "staying in tents by the (Susquehanna) river," a trooper said in an affidavit.
Derr, who had no local address, has been charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution.
Following their arraignments, both Derr and Wise were committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bail each.
