Argument over clothes leads to fight between two Wisconsin Rapids teens

A fight between two teenagers that led to four people facing charges began with an argument over clothes, an officer testified Monday.

Wisconsin Rapids Police Sgt. Mike Potocki testified Monday that he was told there was a telephone conversation between Cayla N. Cumberland, 19, of Wisconsin Rapids, and a 14-year-old Wisconsin Rapids girl. The argument was about someone wanting clothes returned, Potocki said.

The conversation then turned to Leonard D. Grinnage, 25, of Marshfield making comments about the 14-year-old girl, Potocki said.

Cumberland is charged with child abuse and criminal trespass. Grinnage, 25, of Marshfield is charged with felony bail jumping, child abuse, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct as a repeat offender.

Cumberland waived her right fusing fabric to a preliminary hearing Monday in Wood County Circuit Court and her attorney, Erik McFarland, entered a not guilty plea for her.

Potocki took the stand during Grinnage’s preliminary hearing and said he responded to a call of an altercation on May 17 in Wisconsin Rapids.

There was a conversation between Cumberland and the teenage girl, Potocki said. The conversation turned physical, Potocki said.

The 14-year-old girl’s mother became involved and kicked Cumberland in the face, according to the criminal complaint. Cumberland then left and came back with Grinnage and Amanda M. Gallert, 24, of Madison.

Grinnage kicked in the front door and was confronted by the girl’s mother, Potocki said. He pushed the woman down, but she got back up and he threw her down again.

Gallert then sat on the woman to keep her out of the way, according to the complaint.

Grinnage then kicked in the 14-year-old girl’s bedroom door and she ran into an adjoining bathroom Interlining Manufacturers in India, Potocki said. He kicked in the bathroom door, knocking the girl down. Grinnage then held the girl while Cumberland hit her in the head about 10 times, Potocki said.

Grinnage’s attorney, Emily Nolan-Plutchak, called the mother of the teenage victim to the stand to testify. After Wood County Circuit Judge Greg Potter told the woman anything she said on the stand could be used in the case filed against her, the woman decided not to testify.

Potter ruled there was enough evidence to continue the case and Grinnage pleaded not guilty to the charges. Both Grinnage and Cumberland are scheduled to make their next appearances July 11.

On June 2, Wood County Judge Nicholas Brazeau Jr. issued a warrant for Gallert, Woven Interlining who is charged with criminal trespass for her part in the incident. Gallert failed to make a scheduled court appearance June 2.

The 14-year-old girl’s mother, a 34-year-old Wisconsin Rapids woman, is scheduled to make her initial appearance on June 16. The Daily Tribune is not naming her to protect the identity of the child.