Steamboat Springs — Law enforcement officials are concerned after a 59-year-old woman working at Routt County’s alcohol detox facility was assaulted Friday night while taking care of a man that had been brought in after officers investigated a fight in downtown Steamboat Springs.
After the incident at detox, Zachary M. Roche, 30, was taken to jail and booked on suspicion of second-degree assault.
“It’s concerning merely since we are undoubtedly concerned concerning the welfare of the workers,” Steamboat Police Chief Cory Christensen said. “It’s a rare occurrence from just what I understand.”
Christensen said the worker was complying with right procedures.
“She was doing exactly just what she was supposed to do, and the client had every opportunity to leave if he wanted to,” Christensen said.
He said officers rapidly responded at concerning 4:30 a.m to the detox facility after the worker called 911 and reported the man had struck her. Once the officers arrived, they found the woman on the floor in the fetal position.
According to an arrest affidavit, an officer drew his taser, and Roche approached the door along with his hands raised and said “this (expletive) is attempting to kill me.” Roche eventually put his hands up and went down on his stomach as instructed.
Roche denied attacking the worker.
The worker told police she went to check Roche’s important signs. Roche was unconscious so the worker left.
The worker said Roche began to talk “gibberish, adore he was sleepwalking,” the affidavit states. He after that tried to pull on a lamp versus the wall and cussed at the worker.
“He told her again to shut up after that began to punch her repeatedly,” the affidavit states.” She estimated he hit her eight to nine times.
The worker did not believe she lost consciousness.
A Routt County Sheriff’s Office deputy witnessed the assault via a closed-circuit video feed linked to the jail.
The deputy told police that Roche struck the worker once along with a closed fist, and the worker went to the ground, the affidavit states. The deputy said it appeared the worker lost consciousness.
According to the affidavit, Roche straddled the worker and punched her 20 to 30 times.
Roche was released from jail Monday after posting a $2,000 bond. No phone number was listed for Roche, and he could not be reached for comment.
Routt County’s detox facility last year was moved from the jail to a spot at the Routt County Justice Center. It can easily accommodate one client.
Last year, officials said it became clear that the secure jail setting was not right for detox. Individuals taken to detox commonly are not under arrest.
Routt County contracts along with Mind Springs Good health to staff the facility Once there is a client needing detox.
The county’s detox program is funded partially by the city of Steamboat Springs, Routt County and Yampa Valley Medical Center, and a small quantity of funding is offered by the state. Various other funding comes from the clients, that are charged $200 for using the facility.
In February 2015, Mind Springs Good health Program Director Gina Toothaker told the Steamboat Today that initially there were some comes to along with moving detox from the jail since there was not the same level of security available, however so far, there had not been any issues.
On Monday, Toothaker said she wanted to consult along with Various other Individuals prior to speaking to the media.
Christensen said he planned to meet along with Mind Springs Good health officials to discuss the incident.
Routt County Undersheriff Ray Birch said the incident additionally concerned him. He said he would certainly be meeting along with Christensen and Mind Springs Good health officials to see if there are means to improve security at the detox.
The Steamboat Police Department on Tuesday denied a records request for video footage from the incident.
In the denial, Capt. Jerry Stabile wrote it was still an energetic investigation, and there were privacy comes to related to the victim.
To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow your man on Twitter @SBTStensland
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