Onalaska woman accused of hitting woman in head with tree branch

An Onalaska woman faces up to five years in prison after she allegedly struck a woman in the head with a tree branch. 

Stephanie Olivardia, 37, is charged with one count each of third-degree assault and fourth-degree assault. Olivardia made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday.

A judge set bail at $25,000 cash or bond and issued a pretrial no-contact order protecting the victim. During the hearing, defense attorney Rachael Tiller made a motion for a competency evaluation on behalf of the defendant. 

According to a probable cause affidavit, law enforcement arrived at the scene in Glenoma on Aug. 14 and spoke with the victim, who said Olivardia had hit her “in the head with a tree

branch” and pinched her “on the breast.”

Before the alleged assault, the victim had reportedly told Olivardia to stop digging a hole on the property. The victim said she wanted to press charges. 

Law enforcement determined the victim’s injuries — which included two bumps on her forehead and a bruise on her wrist — matched her statement. The victim also reportedly lost hair during the alleged assault. 

According to the affidavit, Olivardia was “babbling incoherent statements” when law enforcement contacted her. 

The branch was described as 3 feet long and 2 inches in diameter.

Olivardia is scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday.