By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – A 17-year-old female was referred to Juvenile Probation on Friday night after allegedly kicking a paramedic with Lifeline Ambulance in his head as he attempted to place safety belts around her legs.
First responders were dispatched at about 10:30 p.m. to a residence in Safford regarding a female who had taken an unknown medication and was having an adverse reaction.
Upon arrival, a Safford officer located the juvenile subject lying on the floor screaming while her father was nearby attempting to calm her.
According to a Safford Police report, the juvenile was experiencing erratic mood swings and her display of screaming and kicking was endangering herself and others around her.
The officer handcuffed the juvenile and, with the assistance of another officer, walked her out as she continued to kick and scream. The report states the juvenile seemed to be under the influence of some sort of drug or alcohol.
As the paramedics were placing the juvenile onto the gurney, she kicked the EMT as he attempted to secure her legs. The kick knocked the EMT to the ground, and later his eye was black and swollen. He advised that he did wish to press charges.
The officer then helped secure the juvenile’s legs and she was taken to the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Any assault on a healthcare worker is deemed an aggravated assault no matter how serious and is automatically classified as a Class-6 Felony, according to Arizona Revised Statute 13-1204.
