Teenage girl accuses ‘OITNB’ star Dascha Polanco of assault

Dascha Polanco is facing four charges related to an alleged assault on a teenage girl

The “Orange Is the New Black� star, who plays new-mom inmate Daya on the Netflix series, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday -- her 33rd birthday -- to face charges of assault, attempted assault and harassment following an alleged altercation with 17-year-old Michelle Cardona, according to several reports.

The incident is said to have taken place July 29 while the women were hanging out at Polanco’s Upper Manhattan residence.

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Though it’s unclear what may have sparked it, Cardona claimed that the actress punched her in the face and head at least three times, pulled her hair and struck her in the arm with her hands and nails, according to the criminal complaint obtained by Page Six, which first reported the news.

Police told the newspaper that Cardona suffered “bruising and redness to her face, scratches to her arms and substantial pain� and was hospitalized for her injuries.

Polanco’s defense lawyer, Gerald Lefcourt, told Page Six and People that he was confident the charges would be dropped and that the the whole ordeal was “a setup to try to get money.�

“This young woman was trying to extort her to drop the case,� he said.

Polanco, who will next appear in Jennifer Lawrence starrer “Joy,� opening Christmas Day, is due back in court in January.

Follow me on Twitter @NardineSaad.

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