Jessica Renee Douglas, 40, of Cedar Lake, is facing multiple charges after a disturbance at a Merrillville hotel where police say she was found nude, bleeding, and acting erratically while caring for a child.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on February 14, 2026, at approximately 2:08 p.m., officers were dispatched to the FairBridge Inn Express in the 8200 block of Louisiana Street in Merrillville for a disturbance. Upon arrival, an officer observed Douglas standing outside a hotel room completely nude, with her body covered in blood and actively bleeding from her head. Several bystanders were outside their rooms keeping their distance.
Police reported that Douglas was flailing her arms and shouting in an erratic manner. As officers attempted to make contact, she ran toward a patrol vehicle and then toward the officer, raising her fists in what was described as a fighting stance while making sexual and violent statements toward emergency personnel. Officers moved in and took Douglas into custody, placing her in restraints as she continued to resist.
Officers held Douglas on her side to prevent injury while awaiting medics, who administered a sedative due to her continued behavior. She was then transported to a hospital for treatment.
During the incident, officers learned a child was inside the hotel room. A woman removed the child from the scene, and police took custody of the boy for his safety. The child was later identified as Douglas’ nephew, who was described as non-verbal and exhibiting signs of a developmental disability. The child was eventually released to his biological mother after the Department of Child Services was contacted.
Officers reported the hotel room was in disarray and located a pill bottle, a cup containing an unknown brown liquid, and suspected narcotics-related items. Additional illegal contraband and paraphernalia were allegedly recovered from Douglas’ purse and the room.
Witnesses told police that Douglas was seen outside holding the child while nude and behaving erratically. One witness reported that Douglas handed the child over before allegedly attacking a puppy by biting it, pulling a man’s hair, twisting a woman’s hand, and later damaging a nearby vehicle. The witness also described Douglas injuring herself and engaging in additional erratic behavior before police arrived.
Police reported approximately $200 in damage to a vehicle involved in the incident.
Lodged in the Lake County Jail on April 11,2026.
Charges filed March 24,2026:
• Neglect of a Dependent (Level 6 Felony)
• Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Cruelty to an Animal (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Public Indecency (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Public Indecency – Nudity (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Criminal Mischief (Class B Misdemeanor)
• Disorderly Conduct (Class B Misdemeanor)
