ANSONIA – A city police officer was arrested after allegedly getting intoxicated at a Stamford music festival and fighting with her mother after she was returned home.

Denyce Ruiz, 24, was charged with disorderly conduct Aug. 21. An internal affairs investigation has been opened by the department.

Police were called to the home of Ruiz’ family in Ansonia in the early hours of Aug. 10, following a 911 call from a relative. The relative had allegedly seen Ruiz fighting with her mother and stepfather.

According to an arrest warrant, Ruiz had attended a music festival in Stamford in the afternoon. She attended the festival with her then-boyfriend. During the festival, she allegedly became intoxicated enough that she was no longer able to drive.

After she left the concert, Stamford police called Ruiz’ mother and said Ruiz was too drunk to drive. Ruiz was taken to Stamford Hospital.

Hospital officials called Ruiz’ mother that evening, asking her to come pick Ruiz up. She and Ruiz’ stepfather drove to the hospital. 

“While en-route, they received another call from the hospital asking for their ETA because their daughter was acting ‘aggressive,’” an arrest warrant says.

By the time they arrived, Ruiz had allegedly escaped the hospital and was found with hospital security in the parking lot. Ruiz was then brought inside and discharged to her family’s care.

On the car ride home, Ruiz hit at the back window and attempted to escape, relatives said. She fell asleep for some time in the car before coming inside to her family’s home.

Ruiz then allegedly attempted to leave the home again, which her mother believed was an attempt to look for her boyfriend. Ruiz’ mother and stepfather restrained her because they did not believe it was safe for her to leave the house, the warrant says.

During the ensuing altercation, Ruiz’ mother and stepfather wrapped their arms around her while she allegedly fought them. Her mother showed an injury above her wrist where she said Ruiz had bitten her. Ruiz’ stepfather said she was punching and kicking while being restrained, but that he was not injured.

Ruiz’ mother “further stated that she ‘saw the devil in her daughter’s eyes’ and that she had never behaved this way before,” according to the warrant.

Ruiz accused her stepfather of choking her during the altercation, but officers did not observe any injuries or abrasions to her neck. Her stepfather and mother denied the accusation.

Another relative in the home called police, who responded to the scene. Ruiz allegedly argued with her mother when officers arrived. Officer Kathleen Ramirez, one of the responding officers, told Ruiz to stop speaking to her mother that way.

“Don’t f—ing tell me what to do,” Ruiz allegedly responded.

Police reviewed interior security footage from the event, which allegedly captured audio of the altercation, and interviewed Ruiz the next day. During the interview, Ruiz allegedly said she had “wanted to go outside and get some air and felt as though she had the right to leave and do that.” She denied having issues with alcohol.

Ruiz was placed on paid administrative leave while the criminal investigation proceeded. Police said that investigation is now closed and an internal investigation has begun.

Lt. James Frolish authored the arrest warrant affidavit, which was signed by a judge Aug. 21. Ruiz was arrested the same day.

Ansonia Police Chief Wayne Williams provided the following statement:

“The Ansonia Police Department takes allegations of criminal conduct involving a member of this Department extremely seriously. Our officers are held to a high standard both on and off duty, and when allegations of criminal conduct arise, it is our responsibility to ensure they are investigated thoroughly and objectively.”

Ruiz’ was scheduled to appear in court Monday (Aug. 24), according to police arrest logs. She was sworn in to the department in 2024.