A deputy from the Los Angeles County sheriff’s office is under scrutiny after allegedly punching a mother who was holding her three-week-old infant during an arrest last year. The case has been referred to prosecutors, according to Sheriff Robert Luna.
On July 14, 2022, the woman was punched twice in the face while being arrested for alleged child endangerment along with other women who had children. The incident took place after a traffic stop in Palmdale, where deputies pulled over a vehicle driving without headlights just before midnight. The deputies detected the smell of alcohol and decided to arrest the three female passengers, who were holding infants without using proper car seats, as well as the driver, on charges of felony child endangerment.
A body camera video released recently reveals one of the women resisting arrest, stating that they cannot take her baby. A struggle ensues, during which the mother claims the child is being hurt and pleads with the deputies to let go. In the video, a deputy appears to punch her twice in the face.
Sheriff Luna expressed his disapproval of the incident, deeming the punching of the woman under such circumstances completely unacceptable. He emphasized that he took immediate action upon being informed of the incident, relieving the deputy involved of field duty. However, he was unable to disclose specific details about the disciplinary measures taken due to state law restrictions.
Sheriff Luna has directed the department to refer the matter to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for potential criminal charges. Additionally, the FBI has been requested to investigate the incident for any potential violations of federal law.
This recent incident adds to the ongoing scrutiny faced by the sheriff’s department. Just earlier this month, an investigation was launched into another incident where a deputy threw a woman to the ground outside a grocery store in Lancaster. The sheriff confirmed that the deputy involved in that incident is no longer on active duty.
The released video has drawn strong reactions, with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger describing it as “gut-wrenching.” Barger, whose district includes Palmdale and Lancaster, emphasized the need for more transparency in policing in the Antelope Valley. She expressed the view that disciplinary actions, including termination, are necessary but short-term solutions, and instead called for investments in training and increased supervision to bring about lasting change.
In 2015, the Justice Department reached a settlement with the sheriff’s department following a federal investigation that revealed patterns of excessive use of force, bias, and unlawful searches and seizures. The settlement aimed to promote reforms within the sheriff’s stations in Lancaster and Palmdale.
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Sheriff Luna assured the public that he considers the incident to be an isolated one and that the individual responsible will be held accountable. He expressed his commitment to using the Palmdale incident and others as learning opportunities to enhance training within the department.