Packwood woman accused of strangling adult daughter during dispute

A Packwood woman charged with second-degree assault, domestic violence, for allegedly strangling her adult daughter during a dispute Thursday night has been released from jail on her own personal recognizance.

Fawnn Michelle Anderson, 53, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail at 10:40 p.m. on March 6 after Anderson allegedly called 911 to report that she had been assaulted by her daughter, according to court documents and jail records.

When deputies with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office responded to Anderson’s report from an address on Main Street in Packwood, Anderson allegedly “said nothing physical had happened, despite telling 911 that she had been assaulted,” according to court documents.

A responded deputy described Anderson’s behavior as “erratic,” noting that Anderson “appeared intoxicated and smelled of intoxicating beverages” and “would give contradictory statements to what she had told 911 and what she had said during his time with her,” according to court documents.

Deputies went across the street to Anderson’s adult daughter’s residence and “observed signs of her having been assaulted, to include scratches on her hand and neck and red marks around her neck consistent with finger marks,” according to court documents.

When questioned, the daughter reported that she had been at Anderson’s residence with her newborn son when the assault occurred.

She said that her son started to slip from where she was holding him on her hip, and said “Anderson approached her, and she pushed her away from her while she also gained a better hold on her son,” which started an argument.

She said she went to gather her belongings and prepare to leave, at which point Anderson allegedly “approached her and pulled her hair” then “grabbed her around her neck with her hand” and held her for about one minute before letting her go, according to court documents.

When questioned again, Anderson allegedly “would agree with what (the deputy) was saying” when he went over the victim’s statement, according to court documents.

“Anderson was ultimately placed under arrest, but was very disruptive during the process, beginning to yell and cry,” the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office notes in charging documents.

The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office recommended Friday during Anderson’s preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court that Anderson be released on her own recognizance due to her lack of criminal history.

“Given how long she’s gone without any law violations, including infractions, I’m going to recommend personal recognizance,” Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello said Friday.

While the victim did not want a no-contact order in place, Masiello said, he did request one due to the nature of the allegations.

“I’m very pleased with the recommendation from the state,” defense attorney Rachael Tiller said Friday, adding that Anderson “does have a lot of support” and that “there’s a lot more (to this case) than what is presented here in the probable cause.”

Of the request for a release on personal recognizance, Judge Paul Strophy said, “I also agree that’s appropriate here, certainly with the lack of history and the allegations.”

He granted the state’s request for a no-contact order, but granted an exception to the distance requirement to allow both parties to stay in their respective homes, and allowed for third-party communication between Anderson and the victim to facilitate childcare for the victim’s children.

“You can’t otherwise have contact,” Strophy said.

Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, March 13.