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Central PA Mom Bites Corrections Officer, Police Say

A 43-year-old mom fought and bit a corrections officer, Central Pennsylvania police announced on Sept. 1.

Shanika Shanta Cheatham.

Shanika Shanta Cheatham.

Photo Credit: East Pennsboro Township PD

Shanika Shanta Cheatham most recently of Enola was spotted driving erratictly around 11:15 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, according to the East Pennsboro Police Department.

She was found appearing to be under the influence of alcohol without a valid license at the intersection of North Enola and East Columbia roads, the police explained.

Cheatham was arrested and put in a patrol vehicle to be taken to the Cumberland County Prison for chemical testing — but before arriving at the prison Cheatham "to kick out the partition of the police vehicle," as stated in the release.

When they arrived at the prison and officers tried to remove her from the vehicle she "began to fight with officers and bit a Cumberland County Correctional Officer," the police said. 

She then refused a blood test, according to the police.

Cheatham has been charged with felony aggravated harassment by a prisoner, felony driving under the influence-third offense, misdemeanor resisting arrest or other law enforcement officer, misdemeanor habitual offender, and a summary offense for driving with a suspended license, according to her latest court docket. 

Cheatham is a mother with young children, according to her school media and public records. She has previously lived in Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Harrisburg according to Pennsylvania court dockets but is originally from Norfolk, Virginia, according to her Facebook profile and court records. 

She has a record for DUI, disorderly conduct engaging In fighting, recklessly endangering another person, and careless driving in Pennsylvania dating back to 2016. She was still serving probation for her 2021 DUI at the time of this latest offense. She also has been found guilty of speeding in Virginia and has open cases for traffic offenses in Maryland, according to court records. 

Cheatham has been held in the Cumberland County Prison after failing to post $8,000 in bail. Her preliminary hearing is before Magisterial District Judge Michael Sanderson at 11 a.m. on Sept. 13. 

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