TB Patient Held Without Bail for Ignoring Health Order

A woman with tuberculosis has been arrested for violating an order to limit time with her children and for failing to wear a protective mask while around others.

Stockton police arrested Samantha Ornelas at her home Tuesday night after public health officials noted numerous instances in recent weeks where she had been around her children in violation of a public health order of isolation.

The children don’t live with Ornelas, according to San Joaquin County public health officials.

A phone number for Ornelas or a lawyer representing her could not be found late Wednesday.

According to public health officials, Ornelas was seen driving in a car with her children without a protective mask on June 29, and she refused to wear a mask during a hospital visit for blood tests on July 6.

Ornelas was diagnosed as having tuberculosis in March. Health officials put her on home isolation.

Since then, health officials allege, Ornelas has violated the Health and Safety Code regarding tuberculosis isolation by failing to wear her mask around others and leaving her home for reasons other than a medical appointment.

Ornelas was held without bail.