Misty Starr Valdez

A $20,000 surety bond has been set for a Warsaw woman accused of causing serious bodily injury to an elderly woman.

Misty Starr Valdez, 29, 4133 N. Old Port Rd., Warsaw, was arrested Thursday on one felony and two misdemeanor charges for a Sept. 1 fight that resulted in a 62-year-old woman suffering a broken knee and possibly a heart attack.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Valdez was bringing her three young children to her estranged husband for a visit when Valdez allegedly began yelling and cursing at the man in front of the children. Samuel Valdez was at the home of his girlfriend and her mother, Linda Bauer, 62, in the 6100 block of Heron Boulevard, Warsaw.

According to Bauer, she approached Misty Valdez in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, however, Valdez grabbed the woman and pushed her to the ground. Bauer immediately felt leg pain. Her two daughters reportedly went to her aid when one of them, Michele Bauer, was also pushed by Misty Valdez and fell on top of her mother.

Bauer was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital where it was determined she suffered several fractures to her right knee, which did require surgery. Bauer also suffered a heart attack sometime during that day.

In her statement to the investigating officer, Misty Valdez said she became upset with everyone watching her. She said she was being yelled at and when Bauer approached, she nudged her away and was then punched from behind by Michele Bauer. Misty said she then grabbed Michele Bauer’s hair causing the woman to fall on her mother.

Misty Valdez is charged with a Class C felony for battery causing serious injury, a Class A misdemeanor for battery and a Class B misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.