By Nancy Bean Foster
The Union Leader Correspondent
MILFORD, N.H. — The charges against Adrienne Valdez, the Mont Vernon woman accused of attacking three EMTs on Memorial Day, have been dropped with the condition that she successfully complete a mental health program called Community Connections.
Valdez, 28, was arrested on Memorial Day on a felony count of second-degree assault and two misdemeanor simple assault charges for allegedly attacking Amherst Ambulance Service EMTs Lynn Briggs, Sandra Power and Carylyn McEntee, who responded to the Valdez home at 27 Old Milford Road in Mont Vernon for a report that someone was having trouble breathing. When the EMTs arrived, Valdez allegedly attacked them, punching, biting and head-butting the three women and causing serious injuries.
Valdez was arrested and temporarily admitted into a hospital, where she said she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. When she was released from the hospital, Valdez was arrested three more times over the course of the next two months.
On June 11, Valdez was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief after an alleged altercation with her mother, Kimberly Dean-Valdez, at her home at 184 Curtis Farm Road in Wilton.
On June 23, Valdez allegedly pulled a fire alarm on an emergency box in Nashua, and when police arrived, she allegedly assaulted a police officer and resisted arrest. Then later, she allegedly assaulted another police officer by spitting in her face.
Valdez’ most recent arrest was at her father’s home in Mont Vernon on Tuesday when she allegedly threatened her brother with an eight-inch kitchen knife during an argument. Valdez was held overnight at Valley Street Jail on $20,000 cash/corporate surety bail until her probable cause hearing on the Memorial Day charges at Milford District Court yesterday.
EMTs Briggs and McEntee, who both appeared at Milford District Court yesterday for Valdez’ probable cause hearing, said they have been out of work since the alleged attack by Valdez.
Briggs said she suffered a dislocated jaw and a fractured cheekbone from being headbutted in the face by Valdez, and underwent surgery last Friday for injury to her wrist.
“She also got me in the ribs,” said Briggs. “That’s the worst pain I’ve ever felt.”
McEntee underwent surgery two weeks ago for torn ligaments in her wrist and has to undergo routine blood tests to ensure she didn’t contract any disease when Valdez allegedly bit her arm.
“I’ve been an EMT for 32 years, and I’ve never been involved in anything as violent as this,” McEntee said.
The EMTs said they were in court yesterday because they wanted to ensure Valdez was being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. However, the women said they were shocked when the charges against Valdez were dropped.
Under an agreement reached between Valdez’ attorneys and Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Ross McLeod, the charges from the Memorial Day incident have been dismissed with the condition Valdez take part in a mental health program, through which she will undergo weekly counseling, be monitored regularly by a court advocate and be required to take her medication as ordered by her physician.
Valdez will live with her father, a psychologist, at his home in Mont Vernon. If Valdez adheres to the conditions of the agreement, the charges will be dropped permanently, said McLeod. However, if she violates any stipulation of the deal, she’ll be back in court facing criminal charges, McLeod said.
Judge Paul Moore said he was reluctant to sign off on the agreement, especially after an outburst from Valdez when the judge asked her if she understood the penalties she would face if she violated the agreement. However, after a brief recess and an apology to Moore from Valdez, he signed the agreement and Valdez was released.
McEntee said she feels sick that the charges against Valdez have been dismissed, and she is now back in the community.
“This was the worst decision that ever could have been made,” McEntee said. “How many times does she have to hurt someone before this finally stops?”
But Valdez’ attorney Jean-Claude Sakellarios said the decision was a “win-win for everyone,” and will allow Valdez to get the treatment that she needs.
Copyright 2010 Union Leader Corp.