Is This Provider Trained?

Passing grade in anger management class looks doubtful
Woman in class accused of threatening classmate, breaking property

BY KEN KOSKY
kkosky@nwitimes.com
219.462.5151
This story ran on nwitimes.com on Friday, March 31, 2006 2:11 AM CST



VALPARAISO | A woman attending anger management classes became irate during a Wednesday morning class, threatened to kill a classmate, then went out to the lobby and broke a display case, Valparaiso police said.

Teresa Prenderville, 32, of 2956 Brown St., Portage, was arrested on charges of intimidation and criminal mischief.
The disturbance occurred at 11:10 a.m. Wednesday at Porter-Starke Services, located at 610 Wall St. in Valparaiso.

The specialist in the meeting room told police a 26-year-old man walked in and asked Prenderville if the seat next to her was taken. The specialist told police Prenderville immediately started yelling to the man, "I'm going to put a cap in you and send you to heaven."

Prenderville is accused of repeating the threat several times -- causing the man to become visibly shaken and start crying. She is also accused of threatening another client before storming out of the room.

A staff member told police Prenderville grabbed a plastic display from the lobby counter and threw it, breaking it. The staff member stated Prenderville then punched the display case at the front door, bending the door frame and damaging the glass. The damage is $200.

Prenderville, who was located walking away from the facility, told police she became angry because a man was making fun or her. The staff and the man, however, said he only asked to sit near her.

Police reports state Prenderville does not have a mental disability or illness, but does have a behavior problem. Police said she had to be placed in a restraint chair at Porter County Jail.