Bradenton woman charged with biting police officer's thigh, kicking sergeant

BRADENTON -- A Bradenton woman was charged with biting an officer's thigh and kicking a sergeant, according to the Bradenton Police Department.

Frances Owens, 54, was arrested at 3:51 p.m. Sunday in the 1300 block of 26th Street West in Bradenton.

At 3:25 p.m., police responded to a 911 call in reference to a woman acting out of control. According to a report, Owens was upset and verbally aggressive towards responding officers. In several attempts to calm Owens, police said she continued to throw her hands in an officers face in an aggressive manner. Police said each time Owens came within inches of striking the officer in the face. According to the report, Owens did the same to a sergeant.

Police said Owens referenced being a sovereign citizen and began to cite sovereign code.

After one last warning, officers tried to place Owens in handcuffs. Police said she actively resisted and tried to pull away. According to the report, Owens was placed down on a sofa in an attempt by police to get her secured in handcuffs. While trying to do so, Owens bit the officer's right thigh. Police said Owens tried saying she didn't intentionally bite the officer's leg. At the same time, police said Owens was kicking the sergeant in the legs.

Owens was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and was being held in Manatee County jail without bond, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office website.

This story was originally published March 21, 2016 at 3:55 PM with the headline "Bradenton woman charged with biting police officer's thigh, kicking sergeant ."