Rock Hill teen under coronavirus quarantine accused of coughing on police officers
A Rock Hill teen who was ordered by a doctor to be in self-quarantine has been criminally charged after she was accused of purposefully coughing toward two police officers, then posting about the incident on social media, officials said.
The 17-year-old woman is charged with breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature, said Lt. Michael Chavis of the Rock Hill Police Department.
On Monday, police responded to Lige Street Park in reference to multiple females fighting, and officers began to separate them, according to a news release from the department. While officers were investigating, the teen was purposely coughing on and near the officers, the release said.
The teen was arrested Wednesday and petitioned to York County Family Court, officials said. She was released to her family under house arrest, the release said. Police have not released the teen’s name.
The incident was captured on police bodycam video, police said. Later, officers were made aware of a video recorded by the teen and posted on social media, according to police. The post was later taken down, officers said.
“Not only did this video confirm her intent to cough on the officers, but also showed the juvenile took pleasure and found humor in her actions,” the release said.
The teen’s social media also showed that the teen was ordered by a doctor to be under self-quarantine, the release said.
The two officers involved have been placed under quarantine at their homes for two weeks, Chavis said.
Rock Hill detectives investigated and discussed the evidence with York County prosecutors from the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, then charges were filed, officials said.
“I am appalled at the behavior of some people during this terribly difficult time,” 16th Circuit Solicitor Kevin Brackett said. “I intend to personally prosecute any person who engages in any behavior which could reasonably appear to jeopardize the health of our first responders or the community. This type of conduct is not funny and I seriously doubt that the judge will be laughing at the sentencing hearing of anyone convicted of this behavior.”
Breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature is prosecuted in General Sessions criminal court under South Carolina law.
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 4:19 PM.
