Lawsuit Seeks Answers After Woman Suffers Brain Damage Following Encounter With Evanston Police: Report

EVANSTON, IL — An Evanston woman's family is seeking more information about what happened to her after a Jan. 5 incident on the border of Chicago and Evanston left her hospitalized with brain damage and in a coma, according to a report by ABC7 Chicago.

Felicea Williams' mother, Jacqueline Hoffman, shared she is still unsure why her daughter is now lying in the hospital with no awareness and unable to do anything but stare at the wall. Hoffman said police called her on Jan. 5 this year to inform her she was in the hospital, but didn't provide any additional information.

Family attorney Victor Henderson filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city of Evanston alleging a violation of the Freedom of Information Act. After the lawsuit was filed, Henderson received documents from Evanston, which included body-worn camera footage.

According to ABC7 Chicago, an Evanston spokesperson declined interview requests but said Williams was injured in an altercation at a bar on Howard Street and was bleeding while trying to get into a passing car and not responding to officers.

In a statement, the city told ABC7: "As officers attempted to detain her, Williams spat blood and saliva into an officer's mouth and attempted to bite the officer's ungloved hand. Officers then attempted to place her under arrest, but she resisted, and officers used force to take her into custody."

The city said officers involved were placed on leave under standard procedure, an internal investigation found the use of force was justified and the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force was notified. ABC7 Chicago also reported Williams was charged with three counts of aggravated battery to a police officer.

Read more from ABC7 Chicago: Family seeking answers after Evanston woman suffers brain damage, in coma at hospital