Accused assailant postpones arraignment

Accused assailants Francis Jackson and Tashinia Elida Schlensker appeared before Lake County District Court Judge James A. Manley with public defenders Oct. 21. 

While Schlensker officially pleaded not guilty, Jackson’s attorney asked for more time before their official arraignments.

Jackson’s attorney told Manley that he was assigned the case the night before.

Jackson and Schlensker were represented by different attorneys. 

Each accused prisoner was seen separately. Both are now in custody at Lake County Detention Center.

Schlenkser turned herself into to Lake County Sheriff Don Bell Oct. 16 after she was identified as the unknown woman who is allegedly responsible for hitting a Ronan daycare owner with a snow shovel Oct 7.

A warrant for Schlensker’s arrest was issued Oct. 14. 

Lake County prosecutors said that Schlensker and her boyfriend Francis Jackson assualted a  Martha’s Mini Daycare owner after Jackson demanded his three biological children under age four that were at the daycare center, a Lake County Court affidavit said. 

But the daycare owner, who met Jackson knew his parental custody rights were suspended by Tribal Services, and refused to give him the children. 

Jackson also smelled of alcohol, the affidavit said.

Prosecutors allege that Jackson and Schlensker assaulted the daycare owner and that Schlensker used a snow shovel the daycare owner branished to protect herself to assault the onwer’s face. 

The daycare owner was treated at a local medical facility.