ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, May 21, 1996                  TAG: 9605210118
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-2  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER

DETENTION WORKER INJURED DURING ATTACK

A Coyner Springs Detention Center employee was injured when three girls confined there attacked her Sunday night.

Mary C. Gardner, 48, gave bed linens to a 17-year-old about 11 p.m. When Gardner turned her back, the girl wrapped a sheet around the woman's neck and started choking her, police said.

Two other girls, ages 15 and 13, joined the older girl and pulled Gardner to the floor, police said. One girl sprayed deodorant in the woman's face.

Gardner screamed and another employee came to her aid. She was taken to Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital and treated for injuries to her mouth and neck.

The three girls, whose names are not being released because of their ages, were to be served with juvenile petitions Monday in connection with the incident.

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