DA Weighs Blood Test for Woman Accused of Biting Mass. EMT

Dec. 13--Suffolk prosecutors said yesterday they are considering asking a judge to order a Florida woman accused of biting a Boston EMT's hand to submit to a blood test in order to safeguard themedic's health.

"We would request that as a condition of bail at arraignment," Suffolk district attorney spokesman Jake Wark said of the blood test prosecutors will likely seek from Laura Elizabeth Bell.

"We are going to request the subject's medical records be released in so far as they would assist the victim in this case determine if any specific medical tests are necessary on his part," Wark said. "We are working with the hospital to obtain any medical records that can help the victim safeguard his health."

Bell, 28, of Jacksonville, Fla., was summoned to court by police on assault and battery charges after cops said she bit deeply into the hand of Boston EMT Tony O'Brien. The attack took place Wednesday, when O'Brien and his partner responded to the Beacon Hill Hotel to assist an allegedly drunk woman, but when he tried to help her she bit his hand, drawing blood, and scratched his face and neck, according to police.

Bell was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where police said she had to be put in restraints because she was being "combative and erratic."

Bell has a history of run-ins with the law in Marion County, Fla., including three charges of aggravated battery/domestic violence and battery/domestic violence from 2009 that were dropped or dismissed, records show.

O'Brien said he fears he may have been exposed to infectious pathogens.

"It's terrifying," he told the Herald in a front-page story Thursday, while expressing frustration that Mass. General had not given him any information on whether Bell had been tested. "It's an absolute nightmare. There's no way I can know if I'm going to get HIV, hepatitis or any other thing."

Hospital and city health officials refused to say whether Bell has been given a blood test, citing patient confidentiality rules.

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