Newton Citizen

COVINGTON - A 13-year-old girl has been charged with aggravated assault after she allegedly took a swing at a fellow teen with a knife following a fight at a bus stop earlier this month.

According to Lt. Mark Mitchell, spokesman for the Newton County Sheriff's Office, the suspect, along with another 13-year-old girl, became involved in an altercation at a bus stop on Autumn Court just before 4:30 p.m. Feb. 15.

"When the fight was assumed to be over, (the suspect) went back to a residence and obtained a kitchen knife," he said. "She came back in front of the girl she was in the fight with and took a swing at her with the knife."

The victim was not struck, however, and no serious injuries were reported from the scuffle.

After obtaining several witness statements, authorities filed a juvenile complaint against the suspect, charging her with aggravated assault. Both girls were also charged with affray, which is defined under state law as "fighting by two or more persons in some public place to the disturbance of the public tranquility."

The names of both teens are being withheld due to their status as juveniles.

According to Mitchell, both girls were released to the custody of their parents or guardians.

Sherri Viniard, spokeswoman for the Newton County School System, said that unless a bus driver witnessed the incident, it would not be reported to the principal of the school where they attend classes.

"The transportation department has not been informed of this incident," she said.

Joel Griffin can be reached at joel.griffin@newtoncitizen.com