Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Punches Woman Holding Baby During Arrest
LOS ANGELES (KABC) – A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy has been taken off field duty after punching a woman twice in the face as she held her baby during an arrest last year in Palmdale, according to Sheriff Robert Luna.
The Sheriff’s Department released body-camera footage of the incident shortly before Luna held a news conference at the Hall of Justice in downtown L.A. Luna expressed his strong disapproval of the deputy’s actions, calling them “completely unacceptable.”
The incident occurred during a traffic stop in July 2022 when deputies from the Palmdale station pulled over a vehicle that smelled of alcohol and was driving without headlights at night. The car contained a male driver, four women, and three infants, all of whom were not properly secured in car seats and were being held in their mothers’ arms.
The male driver was arrested on suspicion of driving on a suspended license, driving under the influence of alcohol, and child endangerment. The four women in the car were also held on suspicion of child endangerment.
During the arrests, one of the women refused to let go of her 3-week-old infant and was punched twice by a deputy, Luna revealed. The body-camera footage shows the distressing scene of the woman’s child being forcibly taken from her as she shrieks. Another woman is seen sitting on the ground, holding her 3-week-old child, while deputies try to convince her to hand over the baby. In response, the mother defiantly states, “You’ll have to shoot me dead before you take my baby.” As she resists, a deputy punches her multiple times in the face before she is eventually handcuffed.
Sheriff Luna emphasized that he considers the punching incident to be an isolated one committed by an individual who will be held accountable. He commended the majority of his employees for their “incredible work on behalf of 10 million residents.”
While state law prevents Luna from discussing the specific disciplinary action taken against the deputy, he confirmed that the case has been referred to the district attorney’s office for potential criminal charges. Additionally, the FBI in L.A. will be investigating the incident.
This incident comes just a week after two deputies were pulled from field duty following the release of a video showing a deputy in neighboring Lancaster violently tackling a woman who was filming a man being handcuffed, and then pepper-spraying her in the face.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
What measures will the Sheriff’s Department take to hold the deputy accountable for his actions in the incident involving Angelica Mendez?
In which the woman, identified as Angelica Mendez, was a passenger. The deputies were conducting a routine traffic stop when they discovered that the driver had an outstanding warrant.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, Mendez became agitated and uncooperative during the arrest. The body-camera footage shows Mendez holding her baby while arguing with the deputies. At one point, one of the deputies can be seen striking Mendez twice in the face, causing her to stumble backward.
Luna expressed his shock and disappointment at the deputy’s behavior, stating that it goes against the department’s values and the training they provide to their officers. He assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted and appropriate disciplinary actions would be taken.
The incident has sparked outrage and calls for justice from the community. Civil rights activists and concerned citizens have criticized the deputy’s use of force, arguing that it was excessive and unnecessary given the circumstances. They are calling for greater accountability and transparency in law enforcement.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of police brutality and excessive force, particularly towards marginalized communities. It reinforces the need for increased oversight and reform in law enforcement agencies to prevent these types of incidents from occurring in the future.
The Sheriff’s Department has assured the public that they take this matter seriously and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all residents of Los Angeles County. They have pledged to take appropriate measures to hold the deputy accountable and ensure that incidents like these do not happen again.
It is crucial that incidents of police misconduct are thoroughly investigated and that officers who abuse their power are held accountable. This incident serves as a reminder that we must work together to address the systemic issues within law enforcement and strive for a more just and equitable society.
