LOGAN — A 21-year-old Logan woman faces a second-degree felony aggravated assault charge after allegedly attempting to hold her mother underwater in a bathtub and breaking her finger during a domestic dispute, according to court documents.
Hadlie Kaelyn Sparks was arrested Saturday night and booked into the Cache County Jail by the Smithfield City Police Department. She appeared Monday afternoon in Logan’s 1st District Court with second-degree felony aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, accompanied by a domestic violence designation.
According to a probable cause affidavit, police learned of the incident on Sept. 4 while investigating a separate matter. An officer subsequently interviewed the victim, who reported that the altercation occurred Aug. 27 at the residence the two share.
Investigators said the dispute began over personal relationships while Sparks was taking a bath. When her mother entered the bathroom to use the restroom, the argument escalated. Sparks allegedly grabbed her mother and attempted to submerge her head under the bathwater. The victim’s son witnessed part of the assault and stepped in to help his mother get away from Sparks, according to police.
The victim then retreated to her bedroom to put distance between them. However, court records state Sparks confronted her again, angry over allegations that her cellphone had been damaged during the initial struggle. When the victim raised her hands to keep Sparks away, Sparks allegedly grabbed her mother’s right ring finger and broke it. The victim’s prospective daughter-in-law witnessed the second portion of the attack.
Although the victim did not immediately seek emergency medical treatment, the investigating officer documented photos of her hand, noting visible swelling, bruising, and an obvious deformity to the finger.
Following her arrest, Sparks was advised of her Miranda rights and agreed to speak with officers. She claimed she was acting in self-defense and stated that pushing her mother had caused the broken finger.
During Monday’s initial court hearing, Judge Angela Fonnesbeck assigned Sparks a public defender. She set bail at $5,000, ordered the Smithfield woman to have no contact with the alleged victim and appear again in court Sept. 14.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.