An inmate being served her dinner in the Monroe County Jail on Sunday attacked a female County Jail Deputy when her cell door was opened.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the inmate launched a violent attack on the deputy, punching her multiple times and knocking her to the ground, then placing her in a chokehold. The deputy was able to click the transmit button on her radio, leading the Central Control staff to check on her status, and interrupt the attack when they got no response from her.
The deputy was treated at the hospital for her injuries and later sent home for recovery. The inmate was treated for her injuries on scene.
Deputies have charged 23-year-old Dawntaya Harris of Rochester with second degree assault and strangulation. She was being held on attempted robbery and assault charges. She’s now back in jail, being held on $5,000 bail on the new charges.
Sheriff Todd Baxter praised the deputy saying she responded to her training in order to survive the attack.