Woman bites Marysville police officer; plea deal possible

A possible plea deal is in the works for a woman accused of biting a Marysville police officer last month.

Amanda L. Simonsen has pleaded not guilty to felony assault charges in connection with the June 9 incident in the 1100 block of East 17th Street.

Simonsen, 25, is accused of biting Officer Terry Baker’s right wrist.

“The officer has not had to miss any work and remains on full duty,” police Chief Wallace Fullerton said Tuesday.

Shackled in a green jail-issue jumpsuit, Simonsen appeared Tuesday in Yuba County Superior Court.

Simonsen’s attorney asked Judge Julia L. Scrogin for more time to possibly complete a plea bargain with the Yuba County District Attorney’s Office.

Officers were called around to an East 17th Street apartment complex to investigate “a male and female screaming at each other,” Baker said in a probable cause statement filed at the Yuba County courthouse.

Simonsen was outside the apartment and, Baker said, became verbally abusive when she was asked to wait inside a police vehicle.

“I raised my hand in a non-threatening manner and as I was talking to her, she hit my hand away from me,” Baker wrote.

A struggle ensued with Simonsen punching Baker in the shoulder. As the officer took Simonsen to the ground, he reported “a sharp pain” in his right wrist, officials said.

Sgt. Chris Sachs said investigators have confirmed the bite wound and said the department is still waiting for the results of a precautionary medical screening to confirm the officer was not exposed to HIV or any strain of Hepatitis.

Simonsen remains in custody with bail set at $50,000. She is due back in court July 18 for a pre-hearing conference.

CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.