One mother spent Christmas night in jail after she allegedly slipped illegal drugs to a trustee Christmas afternoon at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, a deputy reported.

Suspect Frances Robinson, 31, of 1325 Wenlon Drive, was charged with the felony charge of bringing contraband into a penal institution by Deputy Aaron Scicolone.

Scicolone escorted a trustee into a storage room to obtain cleaning chemicals and saw Robinson allegedly slide a pack of cigarettes to the trustee. When Robinson noticed Scicolone, she took her two children and left the visitation area.

The deputy picked up the cigarettes and a gallon zip lock bag containing what appeared to be marijuana and medications including Lortabs, Xanax and morphine. The bag also contained tobacco, rolling papers, a lighter and sunflower seeds. Another bag of tobacco was found in the chemical room.

Visitation deputies detained Robinson and notified narcotics Detective Sedric Fields who questioned her. She was charged and booked. A family member picked up the children.

She was released the next day after posting a $16,500 bond. A hearing is set Jan. 25 in General Sessions Court. She was visiting her husband, Steve, at the time.

Sheriff Robert F. Arnold said Scicolone did an outstanding job in stopping Robinson before the drugs, tobacco and lighter reached inmates.

“She will be banned from the property,” Arnold said of Robinson.

Visitors who try to pass contraband will be arrested, the sheriff said.

“If you try to slip contraband to inmates, we will be obliged to reunite you with your family member at 940 New Salem Highway,” Arnold said.