Palmer Man Assaulted with Vacuum Cleaner Pole

A Palmer Township woman has been arraigned on domestic violence charges after allegedly beating her husband with a vacuum pole following an argument over his facial hair.

Joyce M. Speciale-Detweiler of 1125 Pike St. in , was charged with simple assault and harassment, according to paperwork provided by District Judge Jacqueline Taschner.

At 4:13 p.m. Sunday, May 6, Palmer police received a 911 hangup for a domestic male vs. female incident.

According to an affidavit filed by Officer Stephen Edward Schleig, three officers went to the scene and observed a male, Donald Detweiler, who was outside the residence with visible injuries to his upper torso and neck.

Detweiler told police that he was struck several times while sitting outside when his wife began to argue with him about his facial hair style.

The couple is separated, according to court records.

Detweiler stated to police that he told his wife he was going to shave his facial hair later in the day.

She then came outside and struck him with a vacuum pole, court records said.

When the pole broke, he said his wife then scratched him and hit him with her hands, Detweiler told police.

Police said he had two open cuts and a torn shirt.

Speciale-Detweiler was charged with attempting to cause bodiliy injury by striking her husband with the vacuum cleaner post in the upper back and rear neck area, causing bruising, redness, swelling and open cuts.

She is being held on $10,000 unsecured bail with release conditions of pretrial and undergoing a mental health evaluation.

The foregoing arrest information was supplied by District Judge Jacqueline Taschner's office. It does not indicate a conviction.