The police are currently investigating a death in San Pedro where a woman's body was found wrapped in a sheet and tied with chains. The family of 33-year-old Nicole Polonio told police that she was mentally ill and had been having a particularly violent episode on January 22nd. She reportedly began banging her head on the walls, breaking items in the house, and running onto the street naked. Her sisters and her daughter then restrained her by tying both of her hands and feet together with a galvanized chain. She remained in the chains, locked up inside her room, for five days, until January 27th. They then removed the chains but kept her wrapped up in a sheet, tied by her daughter in a way to mimic a straitjacket. Around 6 the next morning, Polonio's family checked on her and saw that she was alive, biting on the sheet to try to untie it. Then about midday, when her sister checked on her, she found Polonio dead.
It's an unspeakable tragedy and the postmortem exam revealed that she died from asphyxia due to freedom restraining measures. Today, the police told us that they are investigating to see if any charges will be levied.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC, Eastern Division
"In regard to the death of Nicole Polonio, a postmortem examination has been conducted on the body, we have since carried out a thorough investigation, several statements have been recorded, exhibits are retrieved from the house and we will forward the file to the DPP to make a determination whether anyone is to be charged for that incident."
"The report we received is that she had a mental breakdown and she had been restraint thereafter she was found motionless, apparently dead. The results of the postmortem have been established and all that is a part of the file which will be sent to the DPP for directives."
Courtney Menzies:
"So it was multiple days that she was in that condition?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC, Eastern Division
"Yes, that is what the investigation is showing."
Reporter:
"Sir speak if you would to what the laws or regulations would speak to when it comes to restraining someone even mores against their will?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC, Eastern Division
"Well according to family members, that was done because she became violent and had caused injuries to herself and also had damaged some items in the house so she was restrained and according to them, they were trying to seek help for her."
Courtney Menzies:
"Would the police department in that case recommend that rather than take measures into your own hands to alert the police, let them handle it?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC, Eastern Division
"Yes, they could have done that and again, when we got the report was that she was wrapped up in a sheet and found apparently dead."
Courtney Menzies:
"And is there any history of her having mental episodes before this?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC, Eastern Division
"Not that we know of but at the time that this occurred, family mentioned yes, that she was going through some mental problems."
Polonio had four children.
