Murder suspect alleges Seminole jailer abused her

SANFORD — A Seminole County jailer is under investigation, accused of physically abusing a murder suspect who’s charged with shooting her adult son while he was taking a shower.

Virginia “Mandy” Arteaga, 60, was moved to the Orange County Jail three weeks ago after she complained that she was assaulted by the guard, an employee of the Seminole County Sheriff ’s Office.

Arteaga alleges in a written complaint that on Sept. 18, while turning in her dirty uniform for a clean one, a detention deputy knocked her to the floor, then grabbed Arteaga’s shirt in a way that choked her and dragged her across the floor.

Four managers at the jail reviewed video of the incident and concluded the guard acted appropriately, records show.

In her complaint, Arteaga wrote that the detention deputy should be charged with assault.

Another inmate, Rachel Rose, wrote a statement that said that while Arteaga’s back was turned, “she was jumped without warning WITHOUT REASON.”

The deputy gave a different version of events: Arteaga complained about the way the clean shirt fit, began screaming, would not return to her bunk and when the deputy grabbed her right arm, Arteaga jerked it away. The deputy wrote that she then “directed her to the floor.”

Arteaga is awaiting trial on a charge of first-degree murder. She’s accused of shooting her son, Blake Howard, 29, on Feb. 22.

According to a note found at their apartment, she planned to shoot herself as well, but she waited several hours and was interrupted by Altamonte Springs police, who were checking on why her son had not showed up for work.

Arteaga told police that day that she had severe financial problems and was depressed. Prosecutors contend she is competent to stand trial.