Oct 24, 2016 2 min read

A Langeloth woman was arrested by McDonald police after she allegedly swung her belt at a Midway man, hitting him in the face with the buckle and breaking bones in his face.

Meredith Dowler Allen, 36, of 509 Fifth St., is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and harassment for allegedly hitting 39-year-old Jason Dhans inside Kramer’s Tavern, 219 Dickson St., Midway, Saturday night.

Dhans, who reported the assault the following morning, told McDonald police Officer Bradley Resnik that Allen and a man were arguing in the parking lot when he arrived at the tavern. Dhans said he intervened in an effort to calm the situation. He reportedly told Allen to go home before he entered the bar.

Allen came into the bar a short time later and reportedly said “I need to hit something.” She allegedly took off her belt, which is believed to have had a large buckle at the end. Allen reportedly struck Dhans from behind, hitting him in the right eye and almost knocking him unconscious.

Dhans was taken to Allegheny General Hospital by ambulance. Police said he suffered a broken eye socket and cheek bone on the right side of his face. He also needed stitches above and below his right eye. Resnik said that Dhans did not require surgery, but is still being treated by a doctor.

On Sunday, Dhans reportedly got a Facebook message from Allen. She reportedly apologized for the incident and expressed concern, offering to pay “to make it right.” Dhans gave police a copy of the message.

Resnik said it is not clear why police were not notified of the assault that night and are investigating.

Police obtained a warrant for her arrest from District Judge David Mark and took her into custody Sunday night. Allen was arraigned before District Judge Joshua Kanalis and released from Washington County jail Monday morning after posting $10,000 bond. She is scheduled for a Nov. 7 preliminary hearing before District Judge Gary Havelka.