BULLHEAD CITY — A Bullhead City woman who allegedly assaulted two police officers more than one year ago has been committed to the Arizona State Hospital in Phoenix for mental health treatment. Vanessa Jacquez, 40, pleaded guilty except insane to an aggravated assault charge on December 12.
The defendant’s father summoned help on December 11, 2024 when he reported that Jacquez was aggressive, irrational and out of control at a residence in the 1900 block of Artesia Drive.
Police department public information officer Emily Fromelt said one responding officer required four stitches at Western Arizona Regional Medical Center after Jacquez stabbed him in the thigh. She reportedly punched another officer.
Fromelt said authorities quickly determined that Jacquez suffered mental health issues and had not been taking her medications after she had been released from a treatment facility.
“Had she been properly medicated at the time this crime likely would not have occurred,” defense attorney Ross Carponelli told Judge Billy Sipe at the December 30 sentencing hearing in Kingman. He said an expert evaluator concluded that Jacquez was not criminally motivated, was overwhelmed during an acutely psychotic episode and was not in control of her faculties during the incident.
Carponelli said that Jacquez has improved and stabilized following months of mental health treatment following the erratic episode.
Jacquez said she is glad to learn that the stabbed officer is “doing better”.
She expressed an unexplained connection to public safety and said harming any officer was not her intent.
“I appreciate the men and women of law enforcement,” Jacquez told the Court.
“I do believe this is the best resolution,” said Judge Sipe. He ordered a five-year confinement in a secured mental health facility that will begin at the Arizona State Hospital.
