Lancaster woman accused of assault outside school and false ID to police headed to county court
LANCASTER, PA – A 26-year-old city woman accused of violently attacking a mother in front of her child outside McRae Elementary School and later providing police with a false name during a traffic stop will have her cases heard in county court.
On August 15, Magisterial District Judge John Bender ruled that the case against Zhalaysia Zhane Henson, of East Farnum Street, could proceed to the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas. Henson faces charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, disorderly conduct, falsely incriminating another person, false identification to a law enforcement officer, two counts of driving while suspended or revoked, and multiple traffic violations.
The ruling followed Henson stipulating to the Commonwealth’s allegations in the December 2024 assault case and waiving her preliminary hearing in the separate false identity case.
The first incident occurred on December 11, 2024, when Henson, who had a suspended license, allegedly drove recklessly past the school during dismissal. Police say she nearly struck several children, prompting the victim to yell for her to slow down. Henson is accused of stopping her vehicle, confronting the victim, and repeatedly punching her in the face. The assault left the victim with multiple injuries, including a knocked-out tooth and a permanently disfigured finger requiring surgery. The attack was witnessed by multiple people, including the victim’s elementary school-aged child.
Witnesses later identified Henson from a photo lineup, and police confirmed her identity through her vehicle’s license plate.
Weeks later, during a traffic stop for a window tint violation, Henson allegedly provided officers with another person’s name and date of birth. Because officers believed she was someone else, she was released from the scene despite having active warrants. Investigators later determined Henson was in fact the driver.
Henson is currently being held at York County Prison on unrelated charges. Lancaster City Bureau of Police Detective Jared Snader filed both sets of charges, and First Deputy Assistant District Attorney Cody Wade will prosecute.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Key Points
- Zhalaysia Zhane Henson, 26, is facing aggravated assault and related charges after an attack outside McRae Elementary School in December 2024.
- She is also accused of giving police a false name during a January traffic stop while under suspension and with warrants outstanding.
- Both cases will move forward to Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas; Henson remains jailed on unrelated charges.