Woman, 73, Accused Of Biting Deputies, Violating Order Of Protection

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A South St. Paul woman is facing charges after she allegedly violated an order of protection and bit two deputies, according to the Dakota County Attorney's Office.

Ruth Elizabeth Palacios, 73, specifically faces fourth-degree assault on a peace officer with demonstrable bodily harm and violation of an order for protection in connection to the Dec. 30, 2014 incident.

On the day of the incident, a deputy working court security at the Northern Service Center in West St. Paul was informed that an order of protection was being filed against Palacios, which was granted by the court and signed into effect.

According to the criminal complaint, Palacios was there and the deputy explained to her that she could not have contact with the male because of the order of protection. She then became aggressive and continued to say that she needed to talk to the male.

Palacios then went to the vehicle belonging to the male and sat in the passenger seat. She refused multiple requests to move back to the building. She eventually agreed, but continued to be very aggressive toward the deputies.

When deputies tried to get the male to leave the courthouse, Palacios continued to argue and tried to get back in the vehicle, but a deputy held the passenger door shut with his left hand. At that point, she reached up and bit the deputy's hand, drawing blood. Another deputy saw that she had blood on her mouth, the complaint said.

The deputy who was bitten had to go to the hospital to receive medical care.

Palacios is also accused of biting another deputy's hand who was trying to keep her from the outside.

If convicted, Palacios faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison for the assault charge and 90 days for the order of protection violation.