A Michigan woman, aged 42, has been apprehended on charges of assaulting her daughter, including biting her on the neck, strangulation, and throwing her down a staircase. Jennifer Lynn Vargas was arrested earlier this month, facing charges of assault with intent to murder and first-degree child abuse, according to court documents. If convicted, she could face a life sentence for each charge.
The incident reportedly occurred just before midnight on November 8, 2024, at Vargas’ residence in Blair Township, approximately 160 miles northwest of Lansing. Michigan State Police responded to the scene, where they found Vargas and the victim, her daughter, in the driveway.
The identity and age of the victim have not been disclosed, but it was confirmed that she is Vargas’ daughter. The victim reportedly informed the authorities that Vargas had attacked her, hitting her multiple times, strangling her, and eventually throwing her down a flight of stairs.
The authorities noted visible injuries on the victim, including a bite mark and a cut on her hand, which she claimed was the result of a struggle with Vargas over a knife. The victim also reported losing consciousness multiple times due to strangulation.
Emergency medical personnel transported the victim to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City for treatment, while Vargas was taken into custody. Court documents revealed further details about the alleged assault, stating that the victim claimed the physical assault lasted over an hour.
According to the victim, Vargas strangled her, slammed her head into the floor, and finally threw her down the stairs headfirst. After being thrown down the stairs, the victim pretended to be unconscious, and when Vargas was distracted, she ran to a nearby bedroom and locked the door.
The victim’s attempt to escape through a window was thwarted when Vargas reportedly broke through the locked door, pinned her down on the bed, and strangled her again. During this time, Vargas allegedly told the victim that she was going to be “sacrificed.”
Vargas is currently detained in the Grand Traverse County Jail with a bond set at $250,000. A judge has ordered her to have no contact with the victim and to maintain a distance of at least 500 yards from her. Vargas is due to appear in court for a preliminary hearing at 11 a.m. on December 2.