Woman charged with assaulting man in wheelchair
A woman is facing aggravated assault charges for allegedly assaulting a man with a severe brain injury who uses a wheelchair.
Billie Jo Lowry, 33, of Tarentum allegedly assaulted Ford Lowry at his Dunbar Township house Jan. 1, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Police did not identify how or if the two are related.
He told police they were arguing when he leaned out of his chair to pick a candle off the ground. Ford Lowry said Billie Lowry hit him in the face, head and neck and pushed him to keep him close to the ground.
Billie Jo Lowry denied assaulting him, police said.
He told police he was in a car accident in 1996, which caused traumatic brain injury and requires him to use a wheelchair. He said Billie Jo is aware of the injury, according to the affidavit.
Police said they saw bruising, red marks, scratches and a small cut on his face and neck. They said they saw a scar on his head from the reported brain injury.
She is charged with aggravated assault and simple assault, according to court documents, and was lodged in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $20,000 bond.