According to online court records, Susanna Whorton is charged with three felony counts of third-degree assault and one misdemeanor count of peace disturbance.
Police said officers responded Wednesday after a resident reported that a strong chemical odor was coming from Whorton’s apartment.
According to the probable cause statement, the resident told officers that Whorton would not fully open her door during an attempted interaction and that the odor coming from the apartment had spread throughout the complex.
The resident also reported that several tenants had left the area after experiencing respiratory problems.
Two other residents told investigators they experienced similar problems after being awakened in the early morning hours of September 19. They reported coughing, burning eyes and said their dog was also coughing. The residents told authorities they went outside for fresh air and ventilated their apartment but continued to notice the odor.
Police said officers later entered an empty apartment next to Whorton’s unit and detected the chemical odor. According to the probable cause statement, the smell was described as similar to an outdoor pesticide treatment spray used on clothing.
One officer reported experiencing lung discomfort and coughing after entering the apartment. He told investigators that throat irritation continued for approximately 30 minutes after he returned to fresh air.
A resident also told investigators that Whorton had previously stored large quantities of the insecticide permethrin in her apartment and that documentation showed she had violated city code.
According to the probable cause statement, officers attempted to speak with Whorton, but she allegedly refused to open the apartment door or speak with them after looking through a window.
Whorton was being held without bond in the Taney County Jail.
