Beausejour, Manitoba courthouse (courthouses.co)
Irene Melissa Abraham has been convicted of assaulting and causing bodily harm to an RCMP officer following a violent altercation last summer in Beausejour.
Provincial Court of Manitoba Judge H. Lawrence delivered the guilty verdict on April 15, ruling that Abraham’s actions—including biting Constable Humen hard enough to break the skin—constituted significant bodily harm.
“I believe a human bite is a significant assault, particularly when the skin is broken,” said Judge H. Lawrence said in his opionion “While a small cut is normally not of significant concern from a health jeopardy perspective; a puncture wound that has resulted from a human bite is of considerable concern as to possible disease transmission and/or infection. As such, the injury inflicted on Constable Humen, in this case, is more that trifling, is not inconsequential and meets the criteria of being bodily harm.”
The incident unfolded on the evening of July 25, 2023, after Beausejour RCMP received a distress call from Abraham’s therapist. The therapist reported that Abraham had threatened to overdose on diabetic medication. Constable Humen responded alone initially, with Constable Savaria arriving later as backup.
Court heard that Abraham, then in a highly agitated state, was found sitting on a curb near her home. When Const. Humen approached, she swore at him and repeatedly said, “I want to die.” She was arrested under the Mental Health Act but resisted, spitting on the officer’s pants.
According to testimony, Abraham attempted to flee but was too intoxicated to escape. Officers transported her to Pinawa Hospital, where her erratic behavior continued. She allegedly spat directly in Const. Humen’s face and bit his elbow, leaving a laceration. Medical staff determined she needed sedation, and she lost consciousness shortly after being restrained.
Before being sedated, Abraham also made threats against the officers, claiming she “knew people” and would have them and their families killed.
The court’s decision underscores the dangers faced by first responders in mental health-related calls. A sentencing date for Abraham has yet to be scheduled.
