Why was Dasha Polanco arrested? Polanco, best-known for playing Dayanara “Daya” Diaz on Netflix’s hit series Orange is the New Black, found herself in real-life handcuffs following allegations that she beat up a teenaged girl in New York. The alleged altercation took place on the 29th of July, but Polanco was only brought up on charges this past week.
Page Six was the first to report the news, and claims that Polanco “punch[ed] and scratch[ed]” a teen girl before also pulling the girl’s hair. It’s unclear what led to the spat, which took place in Polanco’s home. However, according to 17-year-old Michelle Cardona’s criminal complaint, “Ms. Cardona observed the defendant strike Ms. Cardona about the face and head with a closed fist at least three times, pull Ms. Cardona’s hair, and strike Ms. Cardona’s arms with the defendant’s hands and nails.”
Police noted in further court records that Polanco, 33, had invited Cardona to her apartment via a series of text messages. Cort documents did not specify the nature of the relationship between the two.
Polanco is being charged with assault, attempted assault, and harassment. Her court date has been set for January.
In a statement, Polanco’s attorney slammed the whole process, and claimed that his client is the victim of simple fraud. “It’s a setup,” said Gerald Lefcourt, “to try to get money, and it [the altercation] was tape-recorded. This young woman was trying to extort [Polanco] to drop the case. We’re confident the charges will be dismissed.”
It’s not clear, though, which case Cardona was trying to get Polanco to drop.
Orange is the New Black‘s fourth season will debut on Netflix in the summer of 2016.
(Photo credits: Dasha Polanco arrested via Instagram)
