West Roxbury Woman Sues Braintree Police Department

BRAINTREE, MA — A woman who says she was wrongly arrested and detained by the Braintree Police Department has filed a lawsuit.

Karen Calabrese-Kelley of West Roxbury has sued the town, the police department, Sergeant Charles Bata, Officer David Clark, Officer John McNamara, and a dispatcher identified as Jane Doe. The claim was originally filed in Suffolk Superior Court but was transferred to U.S. District Court in Boston in May.

Calabrese-Kelley alleges that during a February 2014 custody exchange with her ex-husband William Kelley in the parking lot of the Kmart on Grossman Drive, Kelley refused to take her daughter's hockey equipment.

Following an argument, Kelley allegedly approached Calabrese-Kelley while yelling obscenities, pushed her, and caused her to fall and suffer a knee injury.

Calabrese-Kelley then called 911, but Kelley did the same and informed the dispatcher of his status as a Boston police detective. It is alleged in court documents that Kelley and the dispatcher had an offline conversation and the dispatcher informed officers heading to the scene of Kelley's employment.

At the scene, Kelley said his ex-wife blocked him from his vehicle and swung a hockey stick at him, which Calabrese-Kelley denied

Calabrese-Kelley was then arrested by Braintree officers and was detained for three hours before posting bail. She alleges that the officers failed to follow department policies during the incident.

Calabrese-Kelley is asking for attorney's fees, punitive damages, interest she is entitled by law, and an amount that is reasonable and just.

The Braintree Police Department declined comment when contacted by the Patriot Ledger.

Below is the complaint filed in federal court:

Karen Calabrese-Kelley v. Braintree by DanLibon on Scribd

Image: File Photo