WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, Nov. 12, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A West Valley City woman was arrested Sunday evening after police were called to investigate a report of child abuse.
Jessica Bawden, 39, was taken into custody after she was accused of threatening juveniles who were playing in their backyard, according to a probable cause statement filed in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake County by a West Valley City Police officer.
Police responded at about 5:45 p.m. Sunday to a home in the 3800 block of Redwing Street, where two juveniles said Bawden had thrown tree branches at them while they played in the backyard.
The victims told police that Bawden then ran to the front of the home and jumped over a gate in the side yard to gain access to the backyard, the document says.
Bawden reportedly chased the juveniles around the backyard, screaming “I’m going to kill you!” and tried to grab one of them by the neck but missed and grabbed his shirt. He reportedly broke free and went into his home and locked the doors.
According to the charging document, when police attempted to detain Bawden, she resisted arrest by pulling away. Officers had to use physical force to arrest her.
The officers smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Bawden’s breath, the document says.
Bawden was booked into Salt Lake County Jail and is facing charges of:
- Child abuse involving physical injury, a class A misdemeanor
- Interference with arresting officer, a class B misdemeanor
- Threat of violence, a class B misdemeanor
- Intoxication, a class C misdemeanor
According to court documents, Bawden was arrested on June 26 of this year for possession of a controlled substance, which tested positive for heroin, and for prohibited activities by a pedestrian using a roadway after she was found walking in the travel lane on an Interstate 15 on ramp. At that time, the document states, Bawden had two active warrants for her arrest and also was found to be wanted by Adult Probation and Parole as a fugitive.
