Attorney: Tiffin woman unlawfully imprisoned

An attorney for a Tiffin woman who declined to provide a urine sample while viewing Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court proceedings alleges she was unlawfully imprisoned. Alexzandria H. Orta, 20, was found in contempt March 11, according to Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court records. Judge Mark Repp found Orta in "direct contempt" and committed her to Seneca County Jail for 10 days, or until she submitted a urine sample, according to Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court records. A petition by attorney Dean Henry on behalf of Orta against Seneca County Sheriff William Eckelberry states Orta entered Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court's courtroom and was a spectator seated where members of the public may view court proceedings. "Ms. Orta was lawfully present and at all times engaged herself lawfully," it states. "She did not disrupt the court or engage in any negative or unlawful behavior." The petition states Orta heard the judge say he wanted a woman drug-tested, and Orta was walked out of the courtroom, was asked if she could urinate and was told she could not leave the courthouse until she took a drug test. Orta declined to take a drug test, was hand-cuffed and was transported to Seneca County Jail, according to the petition. "Alexzandria H. Orta is presently unlawfully imprisoned and restrained of her liberty by nature of her arrest and continued confinement in the Seneca County Jail," the petition states. Repp ordered the case dismissed March 12, court records state. Henry said the petition voluntarily was dismissed due to Orta's release from jail. Henry filed a notice that Orta is appealing the final judgment finding her in contempt of court entered by the trial court March 11 to the Third District Court of Appeals, court records state. The appeals case is pending.