Who is Michelle Perfanov? Woman involuntarily committed by PA state trooper Ronald Davis sent him suicidal texts just to get his reaction
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA: Michelle Perfanov, a Pennsylvania woman who was forcibly committed to a mental hospital by state trooper Ronald Davis, reportedly told police that she had sent suicidal texts only to get a reaction from him
The 37-year-old Davis, who was a member of Troop L in Jonestown, is facing criminal charges after being accused of violating his position to carry out a takedown that resulted in Perfanov being wrongfully kept in a hospital for several days.
He was allegedly married and had a family in Dauphin County when he started an intimate relationship with the Perfanov. However, things between them didn’t last long as they parted ways after four months following a heated argument.
What texts did Michelle Perfanov send to Ronald Davis?
Following their breakup, Michelle Perfanov allegedly sent a slew of texts to Ronald Davis on August 21, saying she was going to "go out in style" if he didn’t let her collect her belongings from him.
"I think I’m going to drive off a cliff," wrote Michelle in one text, adding, "If this is where I’m supposed to die then so be it."
"My mental health doesn’t matter I’m a useless old stupid uneducated piece of s**t," said the Pennsylvania woman in another message, continuing, "I don’t even have any clothes you help [sic] them hostage. Oh well, I’ll just do it in style naked and have a nice life," according to the New York Post.
Davis, who has been working as a trooper since 2015, used those suicidal texts to seek an involuntary mental health commitment for Perfanov.
After getting the order approved, he allegedly attempted to detain her before uniformed troopers reached the location and took her to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill.
Davis and a civilian companion apparently found the victim in a picnic area at a state forest, where he scooped her up and took her to his car before the two wrestled on the ground.
In footage released by the DA’s office, he is seen sitting on top of Perfanov, who claims that he tackled her to the ground. The victim also alleged that she was okay on her own and only wished to get away from the cop.
She can be heard saying, "You’re insane," and, "You’re absolutely insane … and then you paint me to look insane," in the footage.
Authorities claim that when she attempted to escape, Davis apparently manhandled her and pinned her to the ground in a "wrestling-style hold."
What did authorities say about Michelle Perfanov's suicidal texts to Ronald Davis?
"After reviewing the text messages, your affiants were not able to identify any suicidal or homicidal threats or ideations," read court documents released by the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office about Michelle Perfanov, who was involuntarily committed for five days before being released on August 26.
Following her release, she told police that she never intended to take her life and she sent those suicidal texts just to get Davis’ reactions. The court documents also stated that after reaching the facility, Perfanov appeared to "genuinely lack understanding on why she is being restrained."
"Perfanov's conversations appeared to be hypothetical in nature," continued the documents. Police alleged that Davis "failed to provide the full context of those messages" when he attempted to have the woman committed.
"In fact, the text messages were the culmination of a larger, domestic dispute between him and the victim," said the affidavit, adding, "Taken in context, the texts revealed her frustration with Trooper Davis and his controlling behavior (and her desire to break off the relationship), not a true desire to harm herself," according to Daily Mail.
During a police interview, Perfanov also claimed that Davis repeatedly "made statements threatening to paint her as crazy," like, "I know you're not crazy, I'll paint you as crazy" and "I know the law."
The trooper has now been charged with counts of felony strangulation, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and official oppression.