Park rangers arrested a Council Bluffs woman Monday afternoon after she entered Lake Manawa and took off her clothing in front of them, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
A video of 36-year-old Brandee Steffes’ arrest, shared widely on social media, shows her cursing and spitting at officers as they subdue her at the state park.
The park rangers went to the beach after a bystander called authorities, concerned about what would happen if she drove away with the two kindergarten-age children who were with her. They found her sitting by the water, the two kids wading in front of her, said Kevin Baskins, spokesperson for the department.
After she entered the water and disrobed, the officers told her to return to shore. When she refused, they entered the water and removed her.
The video shows the struggle as they try to get her under control.
Steffes was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication, disorderly conduct, interference with official acts, assaulting a police officer, indecent exposure and child endangerment. Council Bluffs police officers assisted the park rangers.
After Steffes was taken to the Pottawattamie County Jail, she repeatedly banged her head on the door of her cell and was taken to a hospital, where she continued to be combative before being returned to jail, Baskins said. She is being held without bond.
Both of the children are 5 years old. One was returned to a parent; the other was placed in protective custody.
http://www.nonpareilonline.com/news...cle_3207ee90-4e02-11e6-81b9-03e5d42b58ef.html
