Tabitha McNeely

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Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

Another one of the dangers for law enforcement is something most people don’t think about, but it happened Sunday night. A Portsmouth woman, who, according to the police report, told police officers she was at least Hepatitis C positive, spit in the face of a deputy working at the Scioto County Jail.

Tabitha M. McNeely, known also as Tabitha Besco, 36, of 1514 Kinney St., was arrested after an incident in which, after an argument with someone, she was walking along a railroad track, according to police, in an intoxicated state, carrying her baby and yelling. McNeely reportedly handed her baby to a Portsmouth Police officer, but continued to argue, and when officers attempted to handcuff her, continued to resist arrest.

After being placed in a cruiser, officers said the woman kicked the door several times, and after continuing to do that at the Scioto County Jail, was finally secured in a restraint chair. During the scuffle, officers said she spit in the face and eye of a deputy.

The Portsmouth Police report says she was asked if she is Hepatitis C or HIV positive, and that she told them she is Hepatitis C positive, but not HIV positive.

McNeely is charged with assault, endangering children, and harrassment by an inmate who knowingly carries a virus that carries AIDS, the Hepatitis virus or is infected with tuberculosis and causes or attempts to cause another person to come in contact with a bodily substance.

Captain John Murphy of the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office was asked if she will be forced by law to be subject to medical testing.

“Usually what happens is a judge will order that testing, due to that situation,” Murphy said.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com