A teenager from South Carolina could spend the next ten years behind bars after she allegedly coughed on police officers. The teen, who was not identified, was ordered by a doctor to self-quarantine but decided to leave her home.
Officers encountered the 17-year-old at a park in the town of Rock Hill, where they were called to break up a fight. The girl started broadcasting on Facebook Live and filmed herself coughing on the police officers and laughing about it.
After breaking up the fight, officers learned that the girl was supposed to be quarantined for 14 days. The officers involved were placed under quarantine and are being monitored for symptoms of COVID-19.
"You're creating more panic than we need right now. You're creating stress and undue harm to the general public for them to have to fear for their safety," Lt. Michael Chavis with the Rock Hill Police Department said.
The teen was released to her parents and placed under house arrest. She is facing a single charge of breach of peace high and aggravated, which carries a maximum prison sentence of ten years.
Officials did not say why she was quarantined, or if she had been tested for COVID-19.
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