Inset: Cynthia D. Dear (Macon County Jail). Background: The area in Illinois where Dear allegedly stabbed her friend in the chest (Google Maps).
A 44-year-old Illinois woman is accused of stabbing a friend in the chest because the friend told her she had "fuzz" in her hair.
Cynthia Denise Dear was charged with three felony counts of aggravated battery, one for allegedly using a deadly weapon, another for allegedly causing great bodily harm and a third for allegedly committing the act in a public place, court records show.
The alleged stabbing, which occurred on the morning of Oct. 11, began when the victim commented to Dear about her hair, Decatur Radio reported. The argument quickly turned physical, with Dear reportedly beating, pepper-spraying and stabbing the victim.
Additional reporting by Champaign, Illinois-based CBS affiliate WCIA, citing court documents, included a witness who told police the altercation began when the victim said to Dear, "Your hair has fuzz in it."
"[The victim] stated that she did not utter the comment in a provoking nature or mean it to be a mean comment. She just made a comment," the report says. "[Dear] became upset with the comment [the victim] made . . [and] said something like, 'I'm going to give you the dirty south treatment.'"
The victim reportedly said she started walking back home when Dear got out of the truck and struck her, then returned to the vehicle. As the victim continued to walk away from the truck, Dear allegedly returned and "maced" the victim in the back of the head, according to the report.
"[Dear] then jumped on her back," police wrote. "When [Dear] was on her back, [the victim] observed [Dear] holding 'a can of mace' and a 'silver knife with a black handle.'"
After she "shrugged" Dear off her back, the victim said she pinned Dear to the ground, but soon realized she had been stabbed.
A witness saw blood on the victim's chest and ran to a nearby Burger King for help, police said. A responding officer noted the victim suffered a "fresh laceration" on her left upper chest.
Paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital, where doctors stitched the wound.
Police found Dear in the truck that evening. Inside the truck, they reportedly recovered a bloody knife and found a can of pepper spray on the ground next to the vehicle.
While at the police station, Dear allegedly asked about the victim's well-being before stating, "I didn't mean to stab her. It was a mistake."
Dear is being held at the Macon County Jail without bond, records show. She is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 28.