By Jacob Mathias

A Stevens Point woman is charged with battery after she allegedly pulled a female victim’s hair and bit her arm.

Rachael Howen-Franks, 34, is charged with misdemeanor battery and criminal trespass to a dwelling, which both carry a maximum sentence of up to nine months imprisonment, or a $10,000 fine or both if convicted.

Howen-Franks is a repeat offender, having been convicted of battery by a prisoner in 2012, so her imprisonment sentence can be increased by two years.

Howen-Franks pleaded not guilty to all charges at her initial appearance in Portage Co. Circuit Court on Dec. 28.

According to court documents, on November 8 Plover police were dispatched to a home on the 3200 block of Larry Drive after male resident there reported a domestic disturbance.

The man told police that Howen-Franks had come to his home earlier that day and entered without his permission. According to the man, the defendant asked him to come outside to speak with her and her boyfriend alone, but he asked her to leave. She refused.

A female resident of the home came to the door to intercede and again asked Howen-Franks to leave. Howen-Franks then allegedly pulled the woman’s hair, hard enough to pull out a clump of the woman’s hair, and bit her on the arm.

The victim then pushed Howen-Franks away from the door, at which point Howen-Franks’ boyfriend pulled her back to their vehicle and they drove away.

Two witnesses at the scene confirmed the victim’s story.

Howen-Franks is currently free on a $1,000 signature bond and is to have no contact with the victim. She returns to court on Feb. 1 at 8:45 AM for a pretrial conference.