Police: Drunken woman assaults officers, head-butts paramedic

LORAIN, Ohio - A woman who appeared to be highly intoxicated assaulted police and head-butted a paramedic after officers were called to her home on complaints of an assault early Sunday morning, according to a report from the Lorain Police Department.

Virginia Leonard, 31, reportedly became upset that her boyfriend had taken a bottle of brandy the two had been drinking, police said. Leonard then allegedly punched a neighbor in the chest for trying to calm her down, kicked a cooler and flipped a stroller in the front yard. Her neighbor then called police.

When an officer arrived at the scene, police said Leonard had slurred speech, stumbled when she walked and appeared to be highly intoxicated. The officer placed Leonard in the back of the police cruiser, but did not initially place her in handcuffs.

Officers eventually entered the house after neighbors informed the officers that Leonard had an 8-month-old child, which was when Leonard then became unruly, police said.

According to police, Leonard began kicking at the cruiser windows, sticking her legs out of the car door, and yelling profanities and racial slurs at the officers who tried to restrain her. As officers tried to keep her under control, Leonard then yelled that she had overdosed on pills and pretended to pass out, police said.

Medical personnel were called to the scene, and then treated Leonard. In the ambulance, Leonard continued to fight with officers, and attempted to head-butt a paramedic in the groin, according to the report.

Once officers entered the house, they found Leonard’s boyfriend, Timoteo Ocasio, asleep and smelling of alcohol. The house also had a foul odor coming from several soiled diapers, the report said.

Police called social services about the situation and they advised to have a family member take custody of the child. Ocasio’s father came to the house and took custody of the child.

Leonard was taken to the Lorain County Jail and charged with assaulting a police officer, disorderly conduct, obstructing justice and child endangerment.