HUTCHINSON – A Kansas woman made a court appearance Thursday and was charged with one count of felony interference with law enforcement.

Briget Hippen, 24, Hutchinson, is alleged to have withheld a cell phone from Hutchinson Police Detective Bryan Rodriquez while he was investigating a stabbing case involving her brother on Dec. 10.

Her brother, Toby Hippen, faces a charge of attempted first-degree murder, or in the alternative, aggravated battery and aggravated burglary.

He allegedly forced entry into the residence of 26-year-old Megan Drach and stabbed her repeatedly and then fled the scene.

In 2010, Bridget Hippen was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after she placed a blow dryer on a counter near the bassinet her child was sleeping in.

She then went to sleep. When she woke up, the child wasn’t breathing. The child reportedly died from hyperthermia as a result.
With the new felony charge filed, the interference case moves to a waiver-status on Jan. 13.