Lethbridge Police Station. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

12-year-old girl reportedly injured during her mom’s arrest in Lethbridge, officials investigating

Nov 26, 2019 | 4:02 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating the circumstances of the arrest of a 33-year-old woman in Lethbridge and how a 12-year-old got injured in the process.

On Saturday, November 16th, Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) was called to the downstairs unit of a local home on reports that the occupants were screaming and smashing objects.

A 33-year-old woman, who made the call to police, provided her name to the attending officers and a different female occupant was arrested. When police returned to the station, they discovered that the caller allegedly gave a fake name and that she had warrants out for her arrest.

A short time later, LPS was called from an occupant of the downstairs unit to say that the 33-year-old had stolen an item and was causing damage to the building.

Officers informed the 33-year-old that they were aware of her fake identity and knew who she actually was.

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During the struggle to handcuff the 33-year-old, her 12-year-old daughter got involved and received minor injuries. ASIRT and LPS did not clarify what exactly happened to the young girl.

The youth was taken to hospital for treatment and was released a short time later.

On November 19th, the 12-year-old and a lawyer went to the police station to report that she was injured during her mother’s arrest.

“ASIRT’s investigation will focus on the lawfulness of police actions during the course of the arrest, while LPS will maintain responsibility for any investigation resulting from the original two calls at the residence,” reads a media release from ASIRT.

Their investigation is now underway and they will not be providing any further information until the matter is concluded.

“I have complete confidence in the training and professionalism of our officers,” says LPS Acting Chief Scott Woods. “Transparency is critical in maintaining public trust and we welcome the independent investigation by ASIRT.”

Due to the victim being underage, the name of her and her mother will not be released.