Police Responded to Domestic Dispute at Amy Acton's Home in 2019, Records Show

Police in Bexley, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, were dispatched to the home of Dr. Amy Acton in August 2019 after a report of a domestic dispute, according to a police report released this week. At the time, Acton was serving as the director of Ohio’s Department of Health. The recently revealed incident has surfaced as Acton campaigns for governor as a Democrat.

The police report states that Acton became upset during a verbal argument with her husband over her extended work hours and pulled a mirror from the wall, shattering the glass. She told officers she had consumed alcohol, had taken an unspecified amount of prescription medication, and was contemplating driving away, but her husband, who also said he had been drinking, persuaded her not to do so.

A medic dispatched to the scene recommended that Acton go to the hospital, but she reportedly refused. Officers found no evidence of physical violence, with the altercation limited to a verbal dispute. Acton's campaign, responding to inquiries about the report, denied that she was intoxicated and clarified that the prescription medications referenced were ones Acton had used routinely for years. The campaign described the incident as an argument following dinner in which a wall hanging was accidentally knocked down, denying any intent to shatter a mirror or evidence of impairment.

The incident, not previously publicized, was also unknown to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine until recently. DeWine's spokesperson said the governor was disappointed not to have been informed at the time and emphasized his expectation of high conduct standards from staff members. Dr. Acton's performance as health director later put her in the public spotlight during Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic—a role that attracted both praise and criticism statewide.

Police in Bexley have not commented on the released report. As of now, there are no indications of further investigation, and no charges were filed in connection with the incident.