A Staten Island woman has filed a lawsuit alleging that her civil rights were violated during an arrest by New York City police officers. The complaint, filed on January 7, 2025, by Deanna Callari, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, targets the City of New York and several NYPD officers, including Robert Aviles.
Callari claims that on January 7, 2022, she was arrested at her Staten Island home based on what she asserts were false allegations.
While being transported to the precinct, Callari, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, experienced a medical emergency. Despite urgently requesting her inhaler, she alleges that officers ignored her pleas once they arrived at the precinct.
Callari was reportedly left to "needlessly suffer," and it was only after an ambulance was called that she received the medical attention she required.
The complaint also accuses the City of New York of maintaining unconstitutional policies that show "deliberate indifference" to the medical needs of individuals in police custody.
Callari's attorneys argue that this incident reflects a broader, systemic issue within the NYPD, referencing other similar cases where individuals with asthma or other health conditions were denied necessary medical care while detained.
Callari is seeking compensatory damages for violations of her civil rights under federal statutes, including 42 U.S.C. §§1981 and 1983. The lawsuit also seeks punitive damages against the individual officers involved and reimbursement for legal fees.
Her attorneys argue that Callari’s medical distress could have been prevented had the officers adhered to constitutional standards and proper training regarding the medical needs of arrestees.
Representing Callari is attorney Brett H. Klein from Brett H. Klein, Esq., PLLC, based in New York City. The case is being heard under Case ID 1:25-cv-00118.