An 18-year-old Providence woman is facing a felony domestic assault charge after police say she stabbed her mother during a physical altercation inside an apartment on Niagara Street. The mother was rushed to the hospital with stab wounds to her back and neck, injuries that officials described as non-life-threatening.
Providence police responded to 325 Niagara Street on Friday after receiving reports of an altercation involving a stabbing, according to WJAR. Police say Telma Marlene Calel stabbed her mother during the confrontation, which took place inside the apartment. The station reports that Calel's mother was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.
Charges Filed Following Investigation
Detectives charged Calel with domestic felony assault following an investigation into the incident, the station's report states. Rhode Island's felony assault statute, outlined under General Laws § 11-5-2, classifies an assault or battery committed with a dangerous weapon as a felony offense. That law states that assaults resulting in serious bodily injury carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, while other felony assaults resulting in bodily injury or no injury carry a maximum of up to six years. It is not established which of those penalty ranges, if any, would apply in Calel's case.
The statute also notes that when Rhode Island's Domestic Violence Prevention Act applies to a case, penalties under § 11-5-2 also include those outlined separately under § 12-29-5.
What Remains Unclear
Beyond the police account relayed by the same outlet, no additional records detailing a case number, plea, or custody status have been made public. The exact circumstances that led to the altercation between mother and daughter have not been disclosed.
