Woman Attacked Teen, 16, On Bus: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — A New Haven woman is accused of assaulting a 16-year-old girl on a CT Transit bus in Hamden. The assault occurred on Sept. 22 after the teen, a Hamden resident, got on the bus in the area of Dixwell Avenue and Putnam Avenue. The teen told police that a passenger, who has been identified as Marquita Mcelya, immediately began provoking her, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

The teen told police that Mcelya made demeaning comments to her and then attacked her. The teen said Mcelya threw a cup of soda at her and then “struck her an unknown amount of times with closed fist punches,” according to Smith. The teen also said that Mcelya bit her on the forearm.

Smith said the teen sustained injuries to her neck, face and arm and was taken to a medical facility by a family member for treatment. Officer Justin Thibault conducted a comprehensive investigation that led to an arrest warrant for Mcelya, according to Smith. To sign up for Hamden breaking news alerts and more, click here.

Mcelya, 40, of Chapel Street in New Haven, was arrested Nov. 8 on charges of third-degree assault, risk of injury to a minor and disorderly conduct. Mcelya, who was detained on a court-ordered $20,000 bond, was arraigned at Meriden Superior Court later in the day.

Pictured: Marquita Mcelya, 40, of New Haven / Hamden Police Department