🚨 Needle Nightmare at Jail: Corrections Officer Stuck During Search of “Tweaking” Suspect 

A routine booking turned dangerous at the Scioto County Jail when a corrections officer was stuck by a needle during a search of a recently arrested woman, raising serious concerns about officer safety and the risks that come with handling suspects in crisis. 

💉 Danger Behind Bars 

It all began just after midnight when multiple callers reported a woman “tweaking” and causing a scene in the PMHA housing complex on Wayne Avenue.

Officers responded and took Danita Carver into custody on charges of: 

• Criminal Trespass 

• Disorderly Conduct 

• Possession of Drug Abuse Instruments 

But things quickly escalated at the jail. 

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While corrections officers were conducting a standard search, one officer was stuck by a needle hidden in Carver’s belongings or clothing. The incident triggered an emergency protocol, and a Portsmouth officer rushed the injured CO to Southern Ohio Medical Center for treatment. 

🚔 An Invisible Threat 

Getting stuck by a needle might not look like much — but it’s a potential life-altering injury. Officers face the risk of exposure to: 

• Hepatitis B & C 

• HIV/AIDS 

• Other bloodborne pathogens 

Testing and months of follow-up are often required, all while waiting and worrying. 

🛑 Why This Matters 

Police and corrections officers don’t just risk harm from physical violence — they also face hidden dangers every time they search a suspect, especially those involved with intravenous drug use. 

In recent years, Ohio jails have seen a surge in accidental needle sticks linked to the ongoing drug crisis, particularly meth and fentanyl. 

⚠️ Protecting Those Who Protect Us 

This incident is yet another reminder that frontline law enforcement officers and jail staff are at constant risk, even in situations that might seem routine. Officers routinely face: 

• Hidden weapons 

• Contaminated needles 

• Unpredictable behavior from people in crisis 

Training, protective equipment, and better inmate screening are key to keeping officers safe — but the rising tide of addiction and untreated mental illness in communities like Portsmouth is pushing the system to its limits. 

As the drug crisis deepens, the danger doesn’t end with an arrest. For the brave men and women behind the bars, every pat-down could come with a price.