Burlington woman accused of helping escaped child murderer appears in court

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The woman accused of helping convicted murderer Ramone Alston during his escape last week refused to answer questions Monday afternoon after appearing in court for the first time.

Jacobia Crisp, 32, was arrested at her Burlington home on Friday , charged with felony aiding and abetting a fugitive as well as harboring an escapee.

Crisp posted a $30,000 bond shortly after her arrest on Friday. She was flanked by family members after court, including a man who identified himself as her grandfather.

Investigators said Crisp began her relationship with Alston several months ago, mostly by phone. Authorities said she drove the escapee around, but officials didn’t say where.

Alston had also been staying under a female’s name at the hotel where he was captured in Kannapolis, which is near Charlotte.

Authorities said Crisp has no record other than minor traffic offenses. Her LinkedIn page shows she most recently worked as a local pharmacy technician.

All this is happening as Alston serves a life sentence for the 2015 murder of 1-year-old Maleah Williams , who was shot in a drive-by on Christmas Day.

Maleah was in her mother’s arms at the Trinity Court apartment complex in Chapel Hill when she was shot in the head, investigators said.

Alston escaped custody after arriving at the UNC Hospitals Hillsborough campus last Tuesday for a scheduled medical appointment.

Crisp is ordered to have no further contact with Alston. She’s scheduled to appear in Orange County court again on September 13.

Investigators are still working to learn if anyone else helped Alston in his escape.

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