Crime & Safety

Bensalem Woman Hit, Choked Teen Over Soiled Sock: Police

A 44-year-old Bensalem woman allegedly assaulted her boyfriend's teenaged daughter.

A 44-year-old Bensalem woman allegedly assaulted her boyfriend's 13-year-old daughter after the girl placed a dirty sock under her sisters' noses, according to police. 

Fern S. Stephan, of the 4300 block of Brownsville Road, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with a felony count of aggravated assault, as well as misdemeanor charges of simple assault, harassment, recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of children. 

Police allege that Stephan, who lives with her boyfriend, got into an argument Tuesday evening with her boyfriends 13-year-old daughter after the girl stepped in dog poop and then put the dirty sock under her sisters' noses, according to court documents. 

The argument escalated and Stephan allegedly grabbed the child by her arm, then, while pulling her hair, pushed her face into the bed post, according to the affidavit of probable cause. The child told police that Stephan grabbed her by the neck and she "had a hard time breathing," according to court documents.

The girl kicked Stephan, freed herself and called for her father, according to court documents. 

Police said they saw cuts on the girl's face and a bruise on her arm. 

Stephan is being held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of 10 percent of $40,000 bail. She awaits a preliminary hearing set for Feb. 5. 


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