Iowa Casino Visitor Allegedly Spit At, Kicked Emergency Personnel

Posted on: January 2, 2024, 10:01h. 

Last updated on: January 2, 2024, 12:12h.

An Iowa woman was arrested Sunday afternoon after she allegedly spit at both a police officer and an EMT while shouting profanities and making threats at a local gaming property hotel.

Missy Smith, 31, of East Moline, Iowa, also allegedly kicked an EMT. The worker didn’t appear to have suffered significant injuries.

The incident took place at Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf at about 2:45 p.m. after Smith refused to leave her hotel room. She was supposed to have checked out at about 11 a.m.

Authorities wanted her health examined, so Bettendorf Fire Department EMTs responded to the casino’s hotel.

As they were attempting to check her vital signs, Smith “became outraged, yelling profanities and threats,” according to local police. Next, she “began lashing out with her hands and kicking EMS and medical staff,” police added.

EMTs then put Smith on a stretcher so she could be transported via an ambulance to a local hospital.

Instead of cooperating, Smith allegedly “kicked the paramedic multiple times and reared her head back, collected a large amount of saliva and phlegm and forcefully spit the collection into the eyeball of (a police officer.)”

Spit Hood, Restraint

Emergency personnel then put a restraint, known as The Wrap, on Smith’s legs to prevent her from kicking again. They also put a spit hood over her face with the hope that no one would get hit by her spit again.

But it didn’t stop her.

While in the back of the ambulance, (Smith) continued to spit forcefully on the paramedic, forcing spit through the hood,” according to a police report.

Smith faces a charge of assault on persons in certain occupations.

Marijuana Charge

Police also found suspected marijuana in Smith’s hotel room, which led to a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Local police said the hotel room had an odor of burnt marijuana. Officers looked in the room and saw an unspecified amount of marijuana, a grinding device, and paraphernalia used to smoke marijuana.

Following her arrest, Smith was booked at Iowa’s Scott County Jail. Her bail was set at $5,300. She remained in custody as of early this week. She’s scheduled to appear in Scott County Court on January 11.

It was unclear if she was taken to the local hospital for treatment. It’s also unclear what ailment required medical attention.

Police didn’t say if Smith suffered from any medical condition where her saliva would be a risk to the health of emergency personnel.