MCSO: Female deputy attacked while serving inmate dinner

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A female deputy is still recovering from an assault inside the Monroe County Jail where she nearly lost consciousness, the Sheriff’s Office says.

It happened back on Jan. 2 just before 4:30 p.m. The MCSO says she was serving an inmate dinner when the inmate pushed the cell door open, punched the deputy several times, knocking her to the ground and put her in a rear chokehold.

The deputy was able to briefly hit the transmit button on her radio, which prompted other deputies to come check on her.

She was taken to the hospital for treatment of her injuries but has since been released. She is now recovering.

The MCSO says the attacker, Dawntaya Harris, 23, of Rochester, was charged with two felonies as a result of the attack: Second degree assault and second degree strangulations.

Deputies say Harris was being held without bail in the jail on first and second degree attempted robbery and second degree assault for an incident that happened back on Nov. 8.

Harris was arraigned Tuesday on the new charges.