FROM CHIEF P.K. JOHNSON
MILLBROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT
On April 5, 2024, Millbrook police officers responded to the area of Highway 14, near Murphy Oil, with regard to a female subject loitering, while displaying inappropriate signage. Officers made contact with the individual, who was uncooperative during her initial contact with officers. The individual was advised with regard to her activities and to cease said activities and leave the area, or face criminal charges.
Approximately one hour later, officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Highway 14, with regard to a report of an individual claiming to have been robbed. Upon officers’ arrival, they were advised of a female subject, who matched the description of the female from the earlier call for service at Murphy Oil, claiming to have been the victim of a robbery. The complainant advised officers that the alleged victim was causing issues and disturbing other customers, while in the business, but had departed prior to officers’ arrival.
Officers were able to locate the individual at Highway 14 and I-65. While attempting to ascertain if the subject needed assistance, the subject became irate, refusing to identify herself or cooperate with officers. Officers noted that the individual was dressed inappropriately, with both her upper and lower private areas exposed, in public view. Due to her previous contact with law enforcement, her activities prior to and upon her second engagement with law enforcement, as well as her refusal to cooperate with law enforcement, the subject, later identified as Grace Kelley, a 27-year-old Franklin Tennessee resident, was placed under arrest. She was charged with Indecent Exposure and Obstructing Governmental Operations. Kelley was transported to the Millbrook Police Department for processing and was later transported to the Elmore County Jail, where she remains under a $2,000.00 cash bond.
Unfortunately, we’ve received a lot of calls and media inquiries about this particular arrest for all the wrong reasons. While it doesn’t occur daily, it’s not uncommon for our department to receive calls with regard to people loitering or panhandling in our city, particularly in the vicinity of businesses near I-65. Most of the time, when we make contact with these individuals, we find that some may be homeless or just down on their luck and in need of assistance, financial or otherwise. In those cases, we try our best to help people, while making sure that they are not in violation of the law or causing danger to themselves or others by their presence and close proximity to heavy traffic in these areas.
In some cases, our officers encounter people who have been or are abusing drugs or alcohol or are simply trying to portray a certain situation for financial gain. In the majority of these contacts, our officers attempt to resolve the situation without making an arrest unless the individual’s actions leave no other alternative. This particular case would be an example of the latter.
Yesterday, I was advised by our court department staff that Ms. Kelley had people inquiring about her bond and that she is apparently the daughter of a celebrity, country music star Wynonna Judd. This was the first time that I or anyone affiliated with the Millbrook Police Department had any inclination of who Ms. Kelley was. That said, since that time, especially since this morning, news media outlets across the country have been calling to verify the fact that this individual is, in fact, the daughter of Ms. Judd, which is a shame. There are so many of these people out there, but most people pay no attention until someone like this turns up, is arrested and in jail. Now everyone wants to know, is that her? Is that a celebrity’s daughter? Well, I can’t verify that information, but from what I’m told, she is.
What I do know is that she’s someone’s daughter. Apparently, life’s circumstances brought her here and her actions and decisions led to her arrest on Friday. While I’m sure that she doesn’t appreciate her current accommodations, she is not currently endangering herself or anyone else, nor is she redirecting law enforcement from patrolling or responding to calls for service by her actions. Maybe she can get some assistance and get whatever help she needs to not be in the situation or state that caused her to come into contact with law enforcement in the first place.
