Actress Dascha Polanco, who plays the role of Dayanara Diaz in the Netflix's series "Orange is the New Black" (OITNB), faced the court for allegedly attacking a 17-year-old girl in July.
Polanco, 33, was arrested on July 29 after Michelle Cardona, 17, filed a criminal complaint, Page Six reported. The site obtained a court paper which states, "Ms. Cardona observed the defendant strike Ms. Cardona about the face and head with a closed fist at least three times, pull Ms. Cardona's hair, and strike Ms. Cardona's arms with the defendant's hands and nails."
The police said Cardona had been invited by Polanco via text message to her place in Upper Manhattan before the alleged attack took place. It was still unclear why Polanco hurt Cardona who, according to the authorities, was hospitalized after suffering bruises and redness in her face, scratches in the arms and major pain.
People confirmed that the star arrived at Manhattan Criminal Court last Thursday, Dec. 3, which was also her 33rd birthday. She faced four counts of assault and harassment.
Dressed in a black coat and gray slacks with a low ponytail, the actress left the court leaving no comment but letting her attorney, Gerald Lefcourt, spoke for her.
"It's a setup to try to get money and it was tape-recorded," Atty. Lefcourt said. "This young woman was trying to extort her to drop the case. We're confident the charges will be dismissed."
Latina Magazine published a cover story about the actress where she expressed how difficult it is to be a single parent. She also opened up how depressed she was after her mother died.
The actress' character Dayanara in 'OITNB' was imprisoned for a drug-related case in Litchfield Penitentiary. Dayanara was also having an affair with a guard in the hit series.
Polanco will be back in court January next year.
