CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A woman with a long criminal history is back behind bars and the tiny kitten she was found carrying during her arrest is safe and sound, deputies said.

According to the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office, the incident unfolded around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, which is when deputies responded to multiple calls involving a woman knocking on doors and entering vehicles while holding a kitten at a duplex.

Upon further investigation, officials identified the woman as 42-year-old Jennifer Thomason, who has a criminal history dating back to 2011 for crimes like forgery, theft, criminal impersonation and meth possession.

Deputies said they found a door opened when they arrived at the duplex and announced themselves before entering. Upstairs, a man who was found sleeping, allegedly told authorities that he was allowing Thomason to stay at the residence for a few days.

Inside the man's duplex, officials reportedly found evidence of drug usage and drug paraphernalia. The man added that Thomason had a kitten that was recently weaned and he would like to get it back.

Bodycam video obtained by News 2 shows the moment deputies found Thomason outside of a store holding the kitten.

As seen on video, the deputy calmly asks her if she feels like hurting herself, and she responds no. Then, a sergeant observes the 42-year-old for a moment before stating, "she is clearly on something right now."

When told she was going to be detained, Thomason became irate and stated, "Do not detain me! You are not taking me to a Mexican prison."

The moments get tense as law enforcement attempted to restrain Thomason, who is clutching the kitten tightly.

"Put the cat down," a deputy could be heard telling the 42-year-old.

"I have not done anything, what did I do?" replied Thomason.

At some point during the interaction, a deputy managed to get the kitten out of her grasp as law enforcement personnel put her in the back on a squad car.

While alone, Thomason reportedly became even more agitated, blurting out phrases that seem disjointed and make little sense.

"They are going to kill my cat because I'm psychic. Kill my cat and find out what happens," she could be heard saying while in the back the squad car.

While waiting for animal control, the sergeant who took possession of the little cat talks to the animal in the front seat.

"Listen you little booger, you can't climb on my vest," said the sergeant while holding the kitten. "I understand you are scared but you are tearing me up here."

Once animal control arrived, the sergeant informs them that the owner wants the kitten back, but because of the drug paraphernalia found in the residence, he refused to take the animal back to the duplex.

"All kind of cocaine stuff in house and I'm not leaving the cat there," said the sergeant. "And she's beating on people's doors saying she's FBI trying to get into people's cars with the kitten."

Deputies tell News 2 the kitten is now back with its mother, adding that one of the law enforcement officers who responded to the call is looking to adopt the feline.

Meanwhile, Thomason was booked in the Cheatham Jail, charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest. She is being held on a $5,000 bond and is expected to appear in court on June 18.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/video-woman-arrested-while-holding-kitten-in-cheatham-county/