Topless woman accused of attacking city clerk

A topless intruder in Heflin has been charged with assaulting a city official. Anita Henderson Harris, 44, of the northwestern Alabama city of Winfield was arrested on Wednesday night and charged with third-degree assault, accused of attacking Heflin City Clerk Terri Daulton at a storage facility near Heflin police headquarters. A press release from the police department said Daulton was feeding animals waiting to be adopted at the facility at around 10 p.m. when Harris entered the building and assaulted her. The release described Harris as “nude from the waist up.”

Heflin police Capt. A.J. Benefield said Harris was visiting with a friend at the Heflin Hills apartment complex. Harris, who was under the influence of alcohol, got into an argument with the friend and took her clothes off, he said. “The friend said she flipped out and took her shirt and bra off and went into the parking lot and started screaming,” Benefield said. The police captain said there was no motivation for the crime; Daulton was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.



“It was a little scary,” Daulton said. “It was kind of just one of those things I can’t even explain.” Daulton managed to escape Harris and call police. The press release said Daulton sustained minor injuries. “She pulled my hair as I was trying to get out the door,” Daulton said. “I was just trying to get out of her way.” When asked if she suspected Harris was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, she said it was possible.

“First, there was the appearance, and she was a little staggery” Daulton said. “Not having a lot of clothes, and it being so cold last night, it was good indication things were not well.” Benefield said Heflin police were able to retrieve Harris’ clothes from the apartment after the arrest. “She’s in orange (attire) now,” Benefield said. Besides assault, Harris was charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest.