Pa. woman gets prison time for attacking school principal

UNIONTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania woman will spend six months to three years in prison for attacking a public school principal after the woman’s son was suspended.

Police say 41-year-old Wendy Thomas attacked Ben Franklin School principal Yolanda Defino in her office Feb. 20. Police say Thomas slapped the principal, pulled her from her chair, slammed her to the floor and kicked her in the chest. Defino is still in therapy for neck pain.

Thomas apologized at her sentencing today. She previously had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.

Thomas’ attorney and husband argued for leniency, saying she had mental health issues and that the attack was spurred by a steroid treatment for an autoimmune disorder.

Fayette County District Attorney Jack Heneks called it an “unprovoked attack.”