BEDFORD — A 20-year-old Bedford woman was arrested after police responded to reports of a person screaming in the roadway, and the subsequent encounter led to charges of battery on law enforcement, public intoxication, and disorderly conduct.
Samantha L. Cunningham was taken into custody following the incident, which required her eventual sedation by hospital staff due to her aggressive and disruptive behavior.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Department Officer Zakry E. Brooking, police were dispatched to the 400 block of M Street at approximately 1:10 a.m. on November 1, in reference to a female wearing all black and screaming.
Officer Brooking located Cunningham on the front porch of the 400 block of M Street, where she was screaming for help. She then approached the patrol car, continuing to shout.
The affidavit states that Cunningham was incoherent, making statements that she had been “beaten” and that her daughter was being abused. Officers noted a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” emanating from her person, and she was “extremely unsteady on her feet.”
Despite repeated warnings to stop yelling, Cunningham would temporarily comply before resuming her loud outbursts. During the initial interaction, Cunningham stumbled, fell, and struck her head on the front push bar of the patrol car. After being moved away for her safety, she later leaned forward and intentionally slammed her head on the concrete. She was placed in handcuffs to prevent further self-harm, and an ambulance was called to the scene.
A concerned neighbor came outside after hearing the screaming to offer Cunningham a sweatshirt, stating she did not know the woman but listened to her distress.
Officers attempted to gather information, but Cunningham could not provide details about her claims of abuse, a residence, or anyone who could pick her up; instead, she screamed the same allegations and stated she was “dead.”
Once the ambulance arrived, officers attempted to help Cunningham into the back for an evaluation. It was at this point that her behavior escalated, and she began trying to kick and head-butt officers while inside the ambulance. She was removed and placed in Officer Daugherty’s patrol car for transport to IU Health Hospital for treatment and jail clearance.
At the hospital, Cunningham continued to scream and issue threats to both officers and hospital staff. The affidavit notes explicitly that while being moved into the emergency room, Cunningham allegedly kicked Officer Daugherty in the chest.
Cunningham was eventually restrained to a hospital bed for safety. She continued screaming inside the emergency room, disturbing other patients receiving care, until staff were forced to sedate her.
Due to the sedation, the doctor on staff advised that it would be several hours before she could be discharged. Cunningham was left in the care of IU Health staff, and a warrant was requested for her arrest for the following charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, public intoxication, and disorderly conduct. She was detained on that warrant on November 15.
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.
