MITCHELL— A Mitchell woman is facing criminal charges after allegedly damaging a vehicle belonging to her home health care aide following a dispute over cigarettes. The incident occurred on Friday, October 17th.
Ashley R. Artrip, 39, was taken into custody and transported to the Lawrence County Security Center following the incident. She faces preliminary charges of criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor, and resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Mitchell Police Assistant Chief Jacob Kuhlman, officers were dispatched to a residence on North 3rd Street in Mitchell. at approximately 3:54 p.m. regarding a “psychological problem.”
The reporting party, a home health care aide, informed officers that Artrip, who has various medical and mental health issues, had requested a cigarette outside of her pre-scheduled time. Wise stated that the schedule had been set by Artrip’s legal guardian.
When the aide refused the unscheduled request, she reported that Artrip “stormed out of the car and started banging on the door and started throwing things at me and my car,” and “came back out as a cop was pulling up and she again started to beat on my car.”
While Assistant Chief Kuhlman was speaking with the aide, Artrip exited her residence and approached the aide’s vehicle, where she began to repeatedly strike the hood with closed fists.
Assistant Chief Kuhlman ordered Artrip to stop, at which point she retreated into her home, attempting to close the door and ignore the officer’s instructions. After a brief struggle at the door, Assistant Chief Kuhlman, assisted by Officer Grogan, entered the residence and placed Artrip in handcuffs.
Following a medical evaluation by IU Health Bedford EMS personnel, Artrip was read her Miranda Warning. When asked about her actions, she stated that she damaged the vehicle due to the withholding of her cigarettes, and confirmed that she understood the difference between right and wrong.
Artrip was subsequently transported to jail.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
