A Detroit woman has been sentenced to 18 months of probation after pleading guilty to assaulting a 10-year-old girl at Somerset Mall in Troy. Reanna Valentine, 25, was charged with the attack that occurred in January, according to FOX 2 Detroit.
During the sentencing, Valentine expressed that she had "no malice or ill-will" when she slammed the child's head into a display case. She explained, "A group of young ladies walked past me really fast and too close, that triggered me and psychosis set in, causing me to react," Valentine said in court. The unfortunate event happened while Valentine was waiting at a cookie shop within the mall. The victim's face was pushed "into the display where the food is," according to Troy police Captain Josh Jones, as reported by CBS Detroit.
Valentine, who has started medication and treatment for mental health, says she is now "doing much better" and plans to continue her education in natural sciences. "I see things more clearly, everything is starting to improve," she informed the court.
The victim identified as Sophia Simpson, described the assault during the investigation. "That woman came up and hit my head against the glass," she recounted the event as obtained by FOX 2 Detroit. "I started crying, and then she turns around, she starts laughing at me, and then she quickly puts on her mask and runs away." Valentine was recognized and arrested after returning to the mall the following day.
Judge Maureen McGinnis expressed "high hopes" for Valentine's rehabilitation, stating, "It does appear to me that you are working very hard to get necessary support you need to be productive member of society." The victim's father was scheduled to speak via Zoom at the sentencing but never logged on. The family had requested no dismissal of Valentine's conviction if probation was completed successfully, as reported by FOX 2 Detroit. Valentine will have the opportunity to apply for dismissal at a later date, she was credited for four days already served in jail, and must pay several hundred dollars in court fees.
