A Wildwood woman was arrested Friday night after a man with multiple scratch wounds told officers a violent confrontation erupted over a family issue while the two were drinking alcohol.
Marilu Ramos Santiago, 49, who lives in the 700 block of Huey Street, was taken into custody after saying that she was actually the victim in the confrontation. She claimed that the man hit her several times and threatened her with a knife, a Wildwood police report states.
The man, who had scratches on his neck, rib cage and back, told officers that he brought home alcoholic beverages and the argument ensued after they both started drinking. The man said Santiago became angry and started hitting him in the face with her fist before digging her fingernails into his neck and back, the report says.
The man said that Santiago also removed a knife from the kitchen, placed it on the floor and said she was going to tell officers that he used it to try to harm her, the report says.
The officer said he couldn’t validate Santiago’s story and she provided a false statement about how the man entered her home and how long he was there. A short time later, she was taken into custody and transported to the Sumter County Detention Center.
Santiago was charged with battery and released early Sunday morning on $2,500 bond.