Family members jailed over alleged assaults
From left, Linda McLaughlin, Sandra McLaughlin and Jean McLaughlin
Sandra Lee McLaughlin
Jean Alberta McLaughlin
Linda Lynn McLaughlin
A South Franklin Township woman and two members of her family were jailed Saturday over a fight they allegedly had at their home that carried over to the state police barracks.
Sandra Lee McLaughlin, 60, of 1946 Park Ave., was later released on unsecured bond following allegations she punched her daughter-in-law, Jean Alberta McLaughlin, 44, of the same address, three times in the chest at their home about 6:55 p.m., court records show.
Sandra McLaughlin’s daughter, Linda Lynn McLaughlin, 19, also of 1946 Park Ave., is accused of grabbing and pushing Trooper Matthew Terkay as he was removing her handcuffs about 8:30 p.m. at the barracks at 150 Route 519 in North Bethlehem Township.
Terkay’s first contact with the women involved taking reports several people were assaulted at their home. Ralph McLaughlin complained his daughter, Linda McLaughlin, scratched him, causing a laceration to his neck before she left and police arrived at the home, police noted in the affidavit accompanying the criminal complaints in the case. Sandra McLaughlin also complained Jean McLaughlin injured her toe by stepping on it.
Police said Jean and Sandra McLaughlin appeared to be intoxicated when they were taken into custody. Linda McLaughlin was apprehended a short time later after she was found sitting in a parking lot at a business in North Franklin Township.
Police also accuse Linda McLaughlin of screaming at her mother at the barracks to tell the truth about what happened at their house. Jean McLaughlin faces an allegation she screamed similar accusations at Linda McLaughlin while Terkay was typing the criminal complaints.
All three women are charged with public drunkenness, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. Linda McLaughlin faces charges of aggravated assault and intimidating witnesses. She was placed in Washington County jail on a Washington County bench warrant and $25,000 bond set by District Judge Mark Wilson. Jean McLaughlin also is charged with intimidation of witnesses. She was jailed on $10,000 bond set by Wilson.