PALM COAST, Fla. — A woman is now facing felony charges after resisting arrest and biting a deputy Friday, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers responded to a call in Palm Coast in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, deputies met with Cherie Saunders, 38 in her driveway with her make-up smeared, no shoes, slurred speech and a heavy scent of alcohol coming from her, according to deputies.
During the investigation, deputies say they determined that Saunders had slapped a male resident inside the home. When deputies were trying to resolve the situation, she became argumentative and would not cooperate with deputies.
WARNING THIS VIDEO CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE:
According to FCSO, she approached a deputy in a threatening manner and began kicking and screaming when officers attempted to secure her in handcuffs.
Bodycam footage from the situation shows the struggle between the officers and Saunders.
Towards the end of the video, you can see Saunders bite a deputy’s right calf and refuse to release her bite until another deputy was able to free her grip.
According to FCSO, the bite resulted in a two-inch mark which immediately showed broken skin, swelling and bruising. Moments later, the deputy began to feel ill and passed out momentarily. He was transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation.
“Rather than let us handle the investigation in a civil manner, this woman actively fought our deputies and bit one deputy resulting in a trip to the hospital,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “If you attack my deputies you will not win and you will go to the Green Roof Inn facing serious charges. This is a prime example of how dangerous domestic violence calls are for our deputies to handle. Thankfully the deputy was not seriously injured by her actions.”
Saunders was arrested and charged with Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Domestic Battery, Resisting an Officer with Violence. On the way to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility for booking, Saunders vomited in the patrol vehicle. It was determined that she would need to be medically cleared by the hospital prior to booking due to her level of intoxication. She was released from jail after posting a $5,000.00 bond.