Tompkins sheriff: Woman trashes jail lobby after being denied visit with inmate

LANSING, N.Y. — A woman is accused of trashing the lobby of the Tompkins County Public Safety Building after being denied a visit to an inmate Saturday afternoon, police said.

The incident happened around 4 p.m. at 779 Warren Road after Mary S. Dennis, 33, of Ithaca, allegedly showed up late for a visit with an inmate, police said. Jail officials ask visitors to arrive 15 minutes early for scheduled visits and do not permit late visits due to scheduling.

Jail staff reported that upon being denied a visit, Dennis threw items around the room, ripped posters off the wall and damaged a plastic shelf.

She appears to have left the facility and then turned herself in to officers later in the evening. She was charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal mischief.

Dennis was released with an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the town of Lansing Court on July 26.