Juvenile Female in Crisis, with a History of Self-Harm and Assaultive Behavior, Assaults Two Deputies after Fleeing an Involuntary Treatment Hold
Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of a juvenile female who had fled from a medical facility while being held on an Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) hold. The juvenile has a documented history of being assaultive toward law enforcement and other first responders.
This is the third time this month that Deputies contacted her during crisis calls, and each time, she fought and tried to spit on or bite Deputies and first responders.
On July 16, 2025, at approximately 11:00 am, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of a 14-year-old juvenile female who left a medical facility on foot. The juvenile had been placed on an ITA hold for mental/behavioral health treatment on July 14, 2025, and previously on July 2, 2025. Responding Deputies were advised the juvenile was a caution person, known to violently resist and assault law enforcement and first responders. (See summaries of previous incidents below.)
Deputies arrived and began searching the area for the juvenile. Approximately 30 minutes later, a caller reported a person matching her description was seen on E. Boone Avenue near N. Vercler Road. Deputies contacted her in a nearby field and assured her they were there to help, not harm her. She ignored them and their multiple attempts to communicate with her as she continued walking. When she approached the fenced yard of a residence, Deputies told her to stop and not to enter, but she opened the gate and illegally walked into the backyard.
They attempted to detain her, but she ignored all commands and began to struggle and kick them. Continued verbal attempts to calm her down and get her to comply were unsuccessful. During this time, as Deputies tried to gain control of her without causing injury, she bit the arm of a Deputy and kicked another. Once she was finally placed in handcuffs, medics were requested.
Deputies continued to talk and reassure her, but she ignored them, continued to struggle, and refused to answer any of their questions.
She eventually needed to be immobilized in soft restraints. With her history of violent behavior and self-harm, coupled with her obvious resistance to treatment, Deputies determined she needed to be held in a secured facility for her safety, and they booked her into the Spokane County Detention Center, charged with Criminal Trespass 2nd Degree, Resisting Arrest, and two counts of Assault 3rd Degree. Additionally, Mental and Behavioral Health Providers, Child Protective Services, and her caregivers were all notified with the hope of getting her the help needed while keeping her safe.
Previous incident summaries
On July 14, 2025, she reportedly began destroying her juvenile care facility and attempted to harm herself. When Deputies arrived, she threatened to punch them and said she wanted to hurt the staff at the home. It was clear to Deputies that the juvenile was in crisis, a danger to herself and others, and in need of medical assistance. As Deputies tried to take her into custody on an ITA hold to get her help, she violently resisted them, while kicking and trying to bite them. After she was finally restrained, Deputies learned she tried to swallow screws in an attempt to harm herself. Though there was probable cause to charge her with several crimes, including felony assault of the Deputies, they determined her primary need was mental/behavioral health treatment and placed her on an ITA hold. Charges were not filed.
On July 2, 2025, Deputies responded to the juvenile care facility because she had reportedly swallowed a nail/screw and wanted to harm herself. When Deputies contacted her, she repeatedly stated that she didn’t like law enforcement and that she didn’t like medics either.
After it was determined she was a danger to herself and others, she was placed on an ITA hold. Deputies, with the assistance of medical personnel, tried to put her on a gurney, but she violently resisted and was placed in soft restraints. She continued to unbuckle the restraints while kicking and attempting to bite the Deputies and medical staff. She was eventually restrained and provided treatment under the ITA hold, and charges were not filed.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Juvenile Female in Crisis, with a History of Self-Harm & Assaultive Behavior, Assaults Two Deputies" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7