McDonald woman accused of choking granddaughter
A McDonald woman was arrested Saturday by borough police after she allegedly choked her 9-year-old granddaughter during a confrontation at the woman’s home.
Mabel Joyce Cole, 65, of 109 W. Lincoln St., is charged with strangulation, simple assault, endangering the welfare of children, disorderly conduct and harassment.
Police were called just before 11 a.m. to Cole’s home for a report of a domestic dispute. The girl’s mother reportedly told police the 9-year-old was assaulted by Cole, who was the girl’s grandmother.
According to a police report, the girl and her 31-year-old mother were in a bedroom when Cole came in and asked the girl, “What’s wrong with you?” Cole then allegedly squeezed and grabbed the girl’s face and shook her.
The girl’s mother said Cole continued to ask the girl what was wrong, questioning if something happened to her in school or if someone did something to her. She also told police she saw Cole put the 9-year-old in a headlock and choke her.
The girl’s mother said she pushed Cole off her daughter and ran to the other bedroom. She told police Cole tried to kick her, but she held up her leg to stop her. As Cole allegedly tried to assault the girl’s mother, the other woman reportedly started to kick the older woman. The girl’s mother said she got away and called 911.
Cole was arraigned before District Judge Jesse Pettit and released on $75,000 unsecured bond. She is scheduled for a June 7 preliminary hearing before District Judge Traci McDonald.