Woman and Teen Arrested for OUI, Assaulting Police in Wareham

WAREHAM — A Wareham woman and a 17-year-old girl are arrested for assaulting police officers, child endangerment and drunk driving on Friday as the result of an altercation that began at Wareham High School.

Wareham Police say at about 2:20 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of the Viking Drive, the location of Wareham High School, for a report of an intoxicated individual picking up children.  Reports also stated that school officials were attempting to stop the car; however the driver refused and took off from the school.

Upon arrival, responding Officers Matthew Donovan and Justin Silveira located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop at the corner of Marion Road.  After making several observations, the officers asked the operator to step from the vehicle to perform a field sobriety test.

While the sobriety test was being administered, a 17-year-old female exited the car and began swearing and making obscene gestures at buses and cars as they passed by.  Officer Zina Kelsch, who had arrived to assist, advised the individual to return to the car. She refused to do that, instead swinging her arms, assaulting both Officers Kelsch and Silveira.

The teenaged female aggressively resisted arrest and the officers fell to the pavement during the scuffle. As officers were struggling, a third person stepped from the car and began to interfere with the arrest, eventually fleeing after several warnings.

The situation caused significant traffic delays as it occurred in front of the high school during dismissal, prompting the officers to call for further assistance. The aggressive altercation also prevented officers from investigating the original complaint. Other officers responded and order was restored.

The operator of the car, 47-year-old Jennifer Keaton, of Wareham, was placed under arrest at the scene and is charged with operating under influence of liquor, child endangerment while OUI, and disturbing the peace. The juvenile female was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and resisting arrest.

“The officers and school administrators did a great job in preventing a more serious problem in this unfortunate incident,” said Acting Wareham Police Chief John Walcek, who also responded to the scene.

One officer was treated and released from Tobey Hospital due to a knee injury.

Keaton is due in Wareham District Court on Monday.