A Morrisville Borough woman, on probation for the last two years for criminally implicating someone to 911 operators and repeatedly calling the emergency number was arrested and jailed last month for attacking a Bucks County Probation Officer during a required supervision visit, appeared with her attorney waiving her right to a preliminary hearing on the new charges.
Jacqueline McDonnell, aged 61, appeared with an attorney from the Bucks County Public Defender’s Office for a Tuesday hearing before Magisterial District Judge Corryn L. Kronnagel
McDonnell was charged on September 16 with a felony count of attempted aggravated assault, and misdemeanors of attempted simple assault and obstructing law enforcement. In addition, she was charged with related summary offenses.
According to the probable cause filed by Morrisville Borough Police Corporal Lew Halas on Tuesday, September 16th at approximately 9:54 a.m. officers responded to a Lenora Avenue address, after being notified by Bucks County Radio that a probation officer on scene was not answering their radio.
Halas wrote in court papers that he saw the county probation officer on the front porch of the residence with McDonnell. He noted he had previous contact with McDonnell in the past.
Halas made contact with the probation officer, who advised him that McDonnell was being uncooperative. At one point, the officer mentioned that she had been pushed around by McDonnell, according to court records.
While on scene, McDonnell who was intoxicated, authorities wrote in court papers, was verbally aggressive towards both officers. At one point she called Cpl. Halas a “Short Faggot” while he was trying to deescalate the situation by providing guidance to McDonnell.
As per her October 2023 guilty plea agreement, McDonnel is supposed to be proactively involved with drug/alcohol and mental health treatment. Additionally as part of her probationary treatment plan, abstaining from alcohol is also required. Authorities in court papers said she intoxicated that day.
She was asked to take a portable breath test multiple times and refused, police said.
McDonnell subsequently told both officers to get off her property which they did, Halas said.
A follow-up/investigation determined that prior to Halas’s arrival, the probation officer was assaulted by McDonnell. She supplied a written statement report and a brief interview.
According to the probable cause, the County Probation Officer was inside the residence with McDonnell prior to the corporal’s arrival. The probation officer indicated that after brief discussions with McDonnell, she determined McDonnell was intoxicated. She retrieved one of the alcohol bottles in plain sight in the living room and McDonnell grabbed it from her hands.
McDonnell became verbally aggressive with her, referring to her as a “black pig” multiple times and telling her to leave the home.
The probation officer told McDonnell she was backing up towards the front door. As McDonnell approached her, the county employee in charge of her community supervision ordered her multiple times to stay back. McDonnell then allegedly grabbed the officer’s left arm, pushed her towards the door and attempted to strike her with her right hand. The officer avoided the strike.
The officer retreated to the front porch. As this was happening, Bucks County Radio attempted to reach her unsuccessfully, prompting the corporal’s response.
McDonnell, according to online court records, remains confined at Bucks County Correctional in lieu of 10 percent of $25,000.00. She is duu back in court on October 31.
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