Navasota judge reduces mother’s near-$600 library fine to $0

NAVASOTA, Texas (KBTX) – After a Central Texas mother was fined almost $600 and received a warrant for her arrest all due to late library books, a Navasota judge lifted the warrant and reduced the fines and fees to $0.

This all came about when Kaylee Morgan, a mother of five, checked out two books from the Navasota Public Library in March of 2023 and didn’t turn them in on time.

KBTX reached out the Navasota Public Library on April 2, when we originally reported the story, and were directed to the city’s legal team who did not respond to our request.

In a statement released Tuesday, the City of Navasota said the intent of library fines is to ‘provide for continuation of services, while ensuring use of library materials is not abused.”

The city said they sent Morgan notices when the books were overdue.

“After applying for and receiving a library card on March 17, 2023, Ms. Morgan checked out two books that were due to be returned to the library by March 31, 2023. When the books were not returned on time, two overdue notices were mailed to Ms. Morgan at the address she provided to the library in her March 2023 application for a library card,” the statement said.

But Kaylee said she never received the notices because they went to an address she hadn’t lived at since before 2019. The city said in Tuesday’s statement they received an email response from Kaylee after they notified her about the late books. They say she responded saying she would return the books, but never got back to them.

Kaylee appeared in court at the end of March 2024 and pleaded no contest, facing harsh words and a fine of almost $600 for books that totaled about $60. The judge also told Kaylee that if she gets pulled over in Grimes County she will be arrested, whether she has any of her five kids in the vehicle with her or not.

After KBTX and other news outlets reported on the story, the city faced backlash for the harsh penalties over two library books and a misunderstanding.

The city says the Navasota Municipal Judge lifted the arrest warrant on April 2 and reduced the near-$600 fine to $0 on April 5.

“In the City of Navasota, the City Council establishes local regulations through the adoption of City codes and ordinances. City staff uphold and carry out the ordinances and policies adopted by City Council. If there is a desire by the residents of Navasota to see changes to any City ordinance, they are encouraged to communicate openly with staff and their elected officials. This should be a collaborative effort. City ordinances cannot be changed by discussions in the media or social media platforms,” the statement said.