Police dismiss complaint against officers
By Nathan Mayberg
NEWTON — The Newton Police Department have cleared three officers accused of roughing up a woman who was arrested at a local hospital last month after refusing to leave a room where her husband was being treated.
Staff at the Newton Medical Center called the police department from the emergency room after Emily Blohm allegedly refused to leave the area where her husband, David Santana, was being treated for a medical emergency, according to the Newton Police Department.
"They were trying to treat the patient and they asked her to leave and they weren't able to assess and treat the patient without her leaving," Newon Police Chief Michael Richards said.
Richards released details of the incident after Santana, of Wantage, detailed his complaint publicly last week following the arrest of Newton Police Officer Jason Miller on misconduct charges. Miller has been suspended from the department and is facing criminal charges for allegedly exposing his genitals multiple times over a seven-month period to young male motorists.
He was one of the three officers who responded to the hospital where Blohm was arrested.
Richards said in a statement that an internal investigation by the department found the actions of the officers were "justified, legal and proper."
Santana made his complaint on Oct. 28, nine days after the alleged incident. Santana allegedly told police that he was uncomfortable with going into the police station to provide more information.
Richards stated that he instructed investigators to go to Santana's residence in Wantage to personally speak with him.
Investigators also spoke with two emergency room nurses, the emergency room physician who treated Santana and two security officers at the hospital, according to Richards.
Richards said in a statement that police were called by hospital personnel after Blohm was asked to leave several times and wouldn't listen to attempts to explain the circumstances of their request, but rather interrupted the medical staff, talked over them and refused to leave.
When officers arrived, Blohm allegedly refused to leave the hospital room and was uncooperative.
Officers attempted to physcially escort her out but Blohm allegedly dropped to the floor and "began flailing and kicking at the officers. She was then restrained, handcuffed and walked out of the emergency room to a patrol car while she cursed and yelled at the officers," Richards said.
Blohm allegedly refused to exit the patrol car when it arrived at the police station. Police allegedly asked Blohm to leave the car for five minutes before physcially attempting to pull her out.
"It appeared to the officer that she was about to spit in his face, so the officer pushed her face to the side to deter this from happening. He then escorted her into the police station processing room," Richards said. She was driven back to the hospital parking lot to her car afterwards.
Blohm is facing charges of resisting arrest, defiant trespass and disorderly conduct which are pending in Newton Municipal Court.
Blohm and Santana could not be reached for comment.
Reporter Nathan Mayberg can be reached at comm.reporter@strausnews.com or by calling 845-469-9000 ext. 359