Candice Amyx

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Douglas County Jail inmate who failed to return to the correctional facility after a 12-hour release on Christmas Day.

District Judge Jack Murphy ordered that Candice Amyx be temporarily released from jail between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 25, “so that she may visit with her family in her home for one more time before she is possibly sentenced to prison,” according to a court document prepared by Murphy.

Amyx is not considered dangerous. She was booked into jail Sept. 3 and pleaded no contest to four charges of forgery and one charge of theft Sept. 29. She is scheduled to be sentenced at 3 p.m. Jan. 12 — the day Murphy is set to retire after about 15 years on the bench.

Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies have been actively looking for Amyx, 43, since Christmas evening, said Sgt. Steve Lewis, spokesman. An aggravated escape from custody warrant has been issued for her arrest, he said.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Amyx or who she might be with, is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 841-0007, Crimestoppers at 843- 8477 (TIPS) or Lawrence police at 832-7509, Lewis said. Lawrence police are assisting in the search.

“We always appreciate citizens’ assistance in situations such as this,” he said.

Lawrence City Commissioner Mike Amyx said the missing inmate is his former sister-in-law.