Woman Convicted Of Slashing, Cursing At Teen Niece

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A Douglas County woman who slashed her teen niece with a razor after insulting a young child during a family argument is headed to prison.

A jury found Melissa Sue Handy guilty of first-degree cruelty to children and battery in violation of the Family Violence Act on Thursday after a three-day trial. Chief Superior Court Judge David T. Emerson sentenced her to 20 years, with the first three to be served in prison.

In August 2015, Handy and several family members were visiting a friend when an argument over a previous family dispute arose. Prosecutors say the argument escalated when Handy made disparaging remarks about one of the young children in the family.

Handy's 16-year-old niece began defending the child. That's when Handy, 36 at the time, began hurling profanity and threats at the teen.

She then attacked her niece with a razor blade, slicing her right arm all the way down to the muscle, according to prosecutors. According to evidence presented at trial, Handy later tried to convince her niece to not cooperate with authorities and refuse to testify against her.

The victim did testify, however.

Assistant District Attorney Norman Barnett, who prosecuted the case, thanked the jury for their verdict, which they reached in less than two hours.

"We will remain vigilant in protecting those who are the most vulnerable members of our community — our children," said District Attorney Brian Fortner. "I am grateful to the jury for ensuring the victim received justice and the defendant was held accountable for her violent acts."

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Photo courtesy Douglas County District Attorney's office