Allegations against Sheen illustrate challenges police face in domestic abuse cases

Allegations that Charlie Sheen threatened to harm his wife point up the difficulties officials sometimes confront in dealing with domestic violence cases, some experts said.

Sheen's wife, Brooke Mueller, said this week that the TV star threatened to stab her in the eye. She also said he vowed to decapitate her and send her severed head to her mother.

Her statements were enough for an L.A. judge to issue a temporary restraining order against Sheen, who has already been convicted twice for domestic violence. But the statements were not enough for the Los Angeles Police Department to open a criminal investigation. LAPD officials said they’ve discussed the issue and determined that they can only launch a probe if Mueller files a complaint, which as of Friday she has not.

“It is incumbent on her to come forward and make a police report,” said Sgt. Mitzi Grasso. “Our hands are tied.”

Those who help domestic violence victims said Sheen’s case is in many ways similar to others they see -- women who get restraining orders but are too frightened or otherwise unwilling to report incidents to police.

They say getting domestic abuse victims to file police reports is a continuing struggle. Victims sometimes fear that reporting an abuser to police will lead to the abuser’s arrest and make life more difficult -– financially or emotionally -– for the children.

TuLynn Smylie, executive director of the Women’s Shelter of Long Beach, said she thinks police should investigate “if a judge believes there is enough evidence for a restraining order that says she has a credible story.”

Smylie and others said the Sheen situation focused attention on the quandary for police.

“If a police report isn’t made, it makes it very hard for law enforcement,” said Olivia Rodriguez, executive director of the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council. “When we get involved, one of the first things we emphasize to survivors is to make a police report.”

The restraining order issued by L.A. County Superior Court Judge Hank Goldberg on Tuesday came after Mueller, in the declaration, accused the actor of being “insane.” 

Mueller alleged that Sheen repeatedly threatened to kill her, including Sunday night when he told her, “I will cut your head off, put it in a box and send it to your mom!” In a text, he talked about killing his manager, Mueller said.

Her attorney did not return calls seeking comment Friday. Sheen’s attorney declined to comment, but the actor has said he does not hit women.

Related:

Read the Sheen restraining order

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller

Credit: Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press

Comments

[Carlos (not Estevez)]

Maybe they need her to file a report for the threats she alleged were issued against her, but what about the text message about non-traceable cash to"take care" of some people? He's conspiring to do something unlawful, and that should not require a report for the cops to act upon it.

[lucky]

Sheen is a passenger on a manic express rocketship alright. Look up bipolar symptoms. Wild spending of money, racing thoughts... rapid fire speech often repetative, rambling and bizarre... reckless sexual behavior... exaggerated feeling of euphoria... insistence that nothing is wrong and no help is required...the total lack of awareness that their behavior is strange. ..extremely self centered
Unfortunately, for as high as this euphoria can lift one....the decent on the way down can reach depths of depression that can be very dangerous.

No good will come of it.

[Greg Maragos]

The curious case of Mr. Sheen does lend credence to the notion that there are one set of rules for the common folk, and an altogether different one for the rich and famous. Had he been Joe Nobody, Charlie Sheen surely would have been put behind bars years ago.

It appears that when an actor breaks the $2 million per episode barrier, the normal time/space continuum of the universe forms a wormhole around the nose and genitalia, creating an alternate reality where the laws of physics and common sense simply do not apply. I think this is what Charlie Sheen means when he refers to his special "magic".

In Australia you can place bets on the outcome of national elections. I wouldn't be surprised if bookies are currently taking bets on how or when Charlie's magic runs out.

[Don Saxton]

A recent audit of LA DV services showed that half of the "victims" were "exited" for being violent to others in the shelter. All of these were declared victims of men, even at exit for violence. How many of them filled out a restraining order and got custody of children?