Florida Woman Arrested for Giving Boyfriend Unwanted Hug

While women in Georgia may be running over their boyfriends, Lori Smith was arrested for giving her boyfriend Kevin Connelly an unwanted hug. She was charged with one count of domestic battery in another example of officers using no judgment in overcharging noncriminal conduct.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office says that they responded to a domestic dispute call and Lori told them that her boyfriend would not let her hug him. Connelly told them that he pushed her away repeatedly and had to throw her on the bed to get away from her.

Here is the police report of the arrest:

On 02232009 at approximately 0015 hours I responded to 6092 Casson St. in reference to a domestic battery.

pon arrival, I made contact with the victim, Kevin Connelly. Kevin advised that he had been involved in an altercation with his
girlfriend, Lori Smith, with whom he resides. Kevin advised that Lori tried to hug him; however, he did not wish to be hugged. Kevin
stated that Lori grabbed him several times and “threw him around the room.” Kevin advised that he physically pushed Lori down on
the bed in order to get away from Lori. I then collected a sworn written statement from Kevin. Kevin did not have any injuries.

I then spoke to Lori, and she advised that she attempted to hug Kevin twice; however, he pushed her away because he did not wish to
be hugged. Lori then provided me with a sworn written statement. Lori did not have any injuries.

Due to the fact that Kevin did not wish to be touched, and Lori continually grabbed a hold of him, she was taken into custody for one
count of Domestic Battery. She was then transported to the jail without incident and given a court date of 03312009 at 0900 hours.

Kevin was provided with a domestic violence intake date of 03052009 at 0900 hours. A victim notification form was completed at the
jail.

Due to the fact that Kevin’s daughter, was on scene, I contacted DCF to initiate a report. Since was in bed
and did not witness any of the events, DCF did not initiate a report. The call taker was Monica and her ID number was 5813.

No further information.

This sounds like inappropriate conduct and a relationship that has probably run its course. But domestic violence? There was a time when officers would use some common sense and issue a warning in such cases.

Officers appear to be starting a trend of the criminal hug crime theory.

For the arrest form, click here