Woman Sues Worcester, Alleging A Police Officer Mistreated Her As A Teen

A Massachusetts woman has filed a lawsuit against the city of Worcester alleging she was injured during a violent arrest by a plainclothes police officer seven years ago when she was 14 years old.

The Telegram & Gazette reports that Melissa Montanez's federal complaint filed last weekend says she and two friends encountered the officer at a convenience store in May 2011.

The suit says the officer blocked them from leaving, dragged Montanez by the hair, and deliberately banged her head against his vehicle giving her a concussion. The suit says Montanez was charged with several offenses which were later dismissed.

The suit alleges civil rights violations, assault and battery, malicious prosecution, false arrest, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

A city spokesman said he couldn't comment on a pending lawsuit.