Inset: Cynthia D. Dear (Macon County Jail). Background: The Illinois location where Dear allegedly stabbed her friend in the chest (Google Maps).
An Illinois woman allegedly attacked a friend with a knife after the friend remarked that there was “fuzz” in her hair, authorities said.
Cynthia Denise Dear, 44, faces three felony aggravated battery charges, according to court records. The counts accuse her of allegedly using a deadly weapon, inflicting great bodily harm and committing the alleged assault in a public place.
The confrontation unfolded during the morning of Oct. 11 after the victim made a comment about Dear’s hair, Decatur Radio reported. Investigators say the dispute escalated rapidly, with Dear allegedly striking the woman, spraying her with pepper spray and stabbing her.
Champaign-based CBS affiliate WCIA, citing information in court documents, reported that a witness told police the incident began when the victim said, “Your hair has fuzz in it.”
The victim reportedly told investigators that she was not trying to insult Dear or provoke her. According to the police account, Dear became angry and responded with words to the effect of, “I’m going to give you the dirty south treatment.”
The woman said she began walking home when Dear allegedly stepped out of a truck and hit her before getting back inside. As the victim continued away, Dear reportedly got out again and sprayed pepper spray, or “mace,” toward the back of her head.
Police said Dear then jumped onto the woman’s back. During the struggle, the victim allegedly saw Dear holding both a can of mace and a silver knife with a black handle.
The victim said she managed to shake Dear off and hold her on the ground. She soon realized, however, that she had been cut or stabbed.
A witness reportedly noticed blood on the woman’s chest and ran to a nearby Burger King to seek help. An officer later documented a “fresh laceration” on the victim’s upper left chest.
Emergency medical crews took the victim to a local hospital, where doctors closed the wound with stitches.
That evening, police located Dear inside the truck. Investigators allegedly recovered a bloody knife from the vehicle and found a can of pepper spray on the ground nearby.
At the police station, Dear allegedly asked how the victim was doing and then told officers, “I didn’t mean to stab her. It was a mistake.”
Dear remains in custody at the Macon County Jail without bond, according to records. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28.
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