Police arrested a St. John's woman following a confrontation that erupted after child protection workers arrived to remove children from her home.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary was called to a Cookstown Road home at about 9:45 p.m. to assist Child, Youth and Family Services employees, who were attempting to take three children into protection.

Police said the woman refused to co-operate with social workers, and had barricaded her door so that officers could not force their way in.

The confrontation lasted several hours, the RNC said.

The woman eventually gave up, although the RNC said the woman swung a baseball bat at one officer. The bat grazed the officer's head, although he was not injured.

The woman, 33, is scheduled to appear in court Thursday on charges of assault with a weapon, uttering threats and obstructing a police officer.