Placer County inmate escapes; Deputies find her "sunbathing" in river

A female inmate from Placer County enjoyed only about 50 minutes of freedom on Friday after she escaped a road work crew.

Cortney Marie Halley, 21, of Pilot Hill, ran away from the work crew while working on Foresthill Road, near the bridge, around 1:30 p.m. Her helmet, safety vest, and trash bag were found nearby. She ran into the canyon and ran across Highway 49, right in front of a CHP car. The CHP officer saw her jump into the American River and then lost sight of her as she floated down the river. She was found near No Hands Bridge a short time later, laying with half of her body in the water, acting as though she was sunbathing, wearing only her undergarments.

She had about 50 minutes of freedom before being taken back into custody, and will be charged with felony escape. She was sentenced in June and scheduled to be released in February, 2017, for numerous charges including DUI, bringing controlled substances into the jail, possession of controlled substances, receiving stolen property, and resisting arrest. Her bail was set at $500,000.

- Photo and information from the Placer County Sheriff's Office