PUNXSUTAWNEY BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) – Two women are facing assault charges following a violent altercation that was witnessed by two juveniles at a residence in Punxsutawney Borough.
Court documents indicate the Punxsutawney Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 41-year-old Stacey L Heitzenrater, of Harrisburg, and 38-year-old Ashlea Dawn Fleming, of Punxsutawney.
According to a criminal complaint, around 8:28 p.m. on March 7, Punxsutawney Borough Police were dispatched to a residence on Pine Street for a report of a domestic disturbance.
According to the complaint, at the scene, police spoke to Stacey L Heitzenrater and Ashlea Dawn Fleming, who each reported being assaulted by the other.
The complaint notes both women had sustained injuries as a result of a physical altercation.
According to the complaint, Heitzenrater told police she and Fleming had gotten into a verbal dispute, and Fleming began hitting her in the head repeatedly. She reported she tried to get Fleming off of her and grabbed Fleming by the hair, but noted Fleming was stronger and was overpowering her. She stated she was then able to push Fleming around a little, and pushed her into the wall and possibly the fridge, then asked Fleming to let go of her hair, and said she would then let go of Fleming’s hair. She told police Fleming refused to let go and continued to punch her in the face and head until police arrived.
The complaint states Heitzenrater was subsequently transported via Jefferson County EMS to the Punxsutawney Area Hospital for treatment.
According to the complaint, Fleming told police she and Heitzenrater got into a verbal dispute, and she then told Heitzenrater to leave her residence multiple times. She noted when Heitzenrater wouldn’t leave, she said she was going to call the police and reported Heitzenrater then attacked her, pulling her hair, punching her, and “beating her head off the refrigerator and wall.” She also reported being kicked several times between her legs and having her fingers and hand bent back. Fleming also told police Heitzenrater made comments during the altercation that she was “so done” and, “you forget who you’re dealing with,” while also making comments about being in a relationship with “a cop,” and saying “nobody’s going to believe you.” Fleming reported she then asked one of her children to call 9-1-1 for help.
The complaint notes two juveniles who witnessed the altercation also gave statements.
The first juvenile reported Heitzenrater was “saying mean things” to Fleming, “calling her names and swearing at her.” The juvenile reported Fleming asked Heitzenrater to leave many times, and then Heitzenrater attacked Fleming, pulling her hair, punching her, and beating her head off the refrigerator. The juvenile also said Heitzenrater kicked Fleming “in the private part” a couple of times. She said she tried to stop them, but Heitzenrater pushed her, scratching her face, and wouldn’t stop punching Fleming. She told police Heitzenrater mentioned her “husband” being “a cop” and said she would “beat your a**” to Fleming.
The second juvenile reported he was upstairs when the first juvenile came to tell him Heitzenrater and Fleming were fighting. He reported going downstairs and seeing Heitzenrater choking/holding Fleming’s face, pinning her against the refrigerator. He said Heitzenrater then slammed Fleming’s head while insulting her. He told police he then went upstairs, grabbed his phone, and called 9-1-1. He also reported he continued to hear Heitzenrater screaming, Fleming calling for help, and Heitzenrater saying, “my husband is a cop, the police can’t do anything.”
The complaint notes Fleming also complained of injury from the incident and drove to the Punxsutawney Area Hospital for treatment.
Both women were asked to sign medical record releases at the hospital for officers to obtain information from their records.
According to the complaint, Heitzenrater was reported to have a facial contusion, cervical strain, and multiple other contusions, while Fleming was reported to have right wrist pain, swelling and ecchymosis of the right wrist and thumb, an abrasion above her right eyebrow, and neck and back pain.
The following charges were filed against Heitzenrater and Fleming through Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock’s office on March 18:
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
Preliminary hearings for the cases have not yet been scheduled.
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