Orange Is the New Black's Dascha Polanco Is Facing Assault Charges

Actress Dascha Polanco, made famous by her role as Dayanara Diaz on Orange Is the New Black, now faces actual charges for allegedly punching a teenage girl in July.

According to E! News, Polanco “appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court Thursday to face four counts of assault and harassment.”

Page Six reports that Polanco had texted teenager Michelle Cardona to invite her over to her apartment that day. Cardona claims that the actress “punched her in the head, pulled her hair and used her fingernails to scratch up her arms.”

However, Polanco’s lawyer, Gerald Lefcourt, voices confidence that this case will be dismissed. Cardona, he argues, “[is plotting] to get money from the star” and orchestrated the incident herself.

Polanco, who appeared in court on her 33rd birthday, has not yet commented on this situation.