Mary Elizabeth Thomas, 40, of Hobart, has been charged in Lake County after police allege she repeatedly made false reports regarding the arrest of the father of her children, falsely claimed she was suicidal during multiple 911 calls, and later spit on two hospital security officers while receiving medical treatment following a rollover crash.  

According to court documents, Hobart Police responded shortly before 11:30 p.m. on April 1 to the area of 61st Avenue and Colorado Street after a 911 hang-up call. Thomas told officers she had called because the father of her children refused to get out of her vehicle despite an active no-contact order. Police confirmed the order was in effect and arrested the man for the alleged violation.  

Court documents allege Thomas later became upset about the arrest. After she was involved in a single-vehicle rollover crash in the 5200 block of Liverpool Road, police allege she contacted dispatch multiple times claiming the man had never been in her vehicle, despite officers having personally observed him exiting it earlier that evening.  

According to court documents, Thomas later called 911 again and allegedly stated, “I’m going to kill myself.” Officers responded to her apartment, where she initially denied making the statement before again allegedly telling officers, “I’m going to kill myself.” She was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and medical clearance.  

Police allege Thomas became increasingly combative while at the hospital, refused to cooperate with medical staff, attempted to kick a nurse, attempted to bite a staff member during a medical procedure, and spit toward two hospital security officers, striking both with saliva. Court documents further allege Thomas made several racially charged statements, including “all whities should be killed,” and “you crackers are racist as hell.”  

Charges filed June 30, 2026:

Battery Against a Public Safety Official — Level 6 Felony (2 counts)

False Informing Resulting in a Substantial Hindrance to a Law Enforcement Process — Class A Misdemeanor

False Informing — Class B Misdemeanor

Refusal to Aid an Officer — Class B Misdemeanor