Tennessee Woman Jailed for Overgrown Yard

A Tennessee woman has been jailed because of her overgrown yard.

Karen Holloway was cited by Lenoir City during the summer when she started to struggle to keep up with her yard work because of what she called “personal, family issues.”

“With my husband going to school and working full time, me with my job, with one vehicle, we were trying our best,” she told Knoxville’s WVLT.

The Holloways also have two young children still at home. Holloway previously was cited by city officials for her overgrown yard during her husband’s military service overseas.

Holloway admits that her yard needs work, but she says it shouldn’t be cause for jail time.

“[The bushes and trees] were overgrown. But that’s certainly not a criminal offense,” she said.

During her hearing last week, Judge Terry Vann initially issued Holloway a 5-day sentence, but later reduced it to six hours.

“It’s not right,” Holloway said. “Why would you put me in jail with child molesters, and people who’ve done real crimes, because I haven’t maintained my yard?  I feel like I’m being bullied.”

WVLT reports that Holloway said she “was never read her rights nor told she could have a lawyer present.”

Nashville’s WKRN reports that Holloway turned herself in at the jail on Tuesday evening.