Schuylkill County Woman Charged with Punching Ex-Step Sister in the Face

A Pottsville woman is in Schuylkill County Prison after police say she punched her ex-step sister in the face.

According to an affidavit filed by police in Pottsville, officers were summoned to an apartment in the 1900 block of W. Market St. at about 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 14 for a report of an assault. Upon arrival, police say they interviewed a woman who said she and her former step-sister, Chyna Nelson, were having an argument over the heat in the apartment. The two were roommates.

The woman, police say, had dry blood around her mouth and nose.

During this argument, Nelson, 25, allegedly started calling the victim’s mother bad names, police say. The mother being referenced was on scene and reportedly corroborated what her daughter was saying.

After the name-calling, Nelson shoved the victim to the ground. The victim then stood up and that’s when Nelson punched her in the face. A laceration to the victim’s tongue was noticed by police and prompted a visit to a local hospital.

Police have charged Nelson with simple assault, a misdemeanor, and harassment, a summary offense. Nelson was arraigned before District Magistrate Judge James Reiley later Friday morning. Reiley set bail at 10% of $10,000, which wasn’t posted, and Nelson was sent to Schuylkill County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 24.

Nelson has three other active cases against her, according to court records. Two involve misdemeanor retail theft charges, on Jan. 27 and Feb. 7, and preliminary hearings are scheduled for each.

A third case, from late-2024, has Nelson facing two felony counts of drug possession with intent to deliver. Those charges were previously waived to Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.

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