Posted on 04/03/2020 12:55:47 PM PDT by Red Badger
STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — A woman in Stuart who police say caused a coronavirus scare on Facebook Live is now facing charges.
Police arrested 38-year-old Melissa Barton-Schmitt on misdemeanor charges of causing a disturbance and violating an executive order to self-quarantine.
According to police, several business owners saw Barton walking around downtown Stuart broadcasting on Facebook live on Wednesday afternoon. The witnesses said she reported that doctors recently tested her for COVID-19 and that she's waiting for the results to come back. Barton walked into the Ana Capri Activewear store briefly, then left.
According to the arrest report, the witnesses "expressed grave concern for the safety and health of themselves and others."
Police caught up with Barton in front of the Vine and Barley wine bar. Officers said Barton became argumentative and questioned why police stopped her. Police, according to the report, told her they learned of her Facebook posts and wanted to investigate a possible violation of a self-quarantine order.
Barton told police she had a coronavirus test 11 days ago at the Cleveland Clinic North and had yet to receive the results. According to the report, Barton claimed she wasn't told to self-quarantine. However, investigators said in Barton's Facebook Live post she acknowledged "her requirement to self-quarantine while being identified as a person under investigation as defined by the CDC."
Police also said Barton posted on Facebook Live that she believed her test would come back positive and encouraged people to stay in their homes.
Investigators said the Cleveland Clinic North provided police with a form that patients must sign before getting tested, acknowledging they have to self-quarantine.
Police asked Barton to be held without bond until her self-quarantine time passes.
Barton said on Friday the test results came back negative and that doctors say she no longer has to be on home isolation.
Police arrested 38-year-old Melissa Barton-Schmitt on misdemeanor charges of causing a disturbance and violating an executive order to self-quarantine. (Stuart Police)
Meth is a horrible drug.
here’s the vid
She will face no charges after all...Maybe she learned a lesson in this case...Don’t be a drama queen...
Update: The State Attorney’s Office for the Nineteenth Judicial Court filed a No Information on April 15, meaning the state is not going to file charges in the case.
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