Kristen Kuhns, left, stands Tuesday next to defense attorney Alexander Keane, before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Andrew D. Logan. Keane was filling in for Kuhn’s attorney, Carlo A. Ciccone. (Photo by Chris McBride)

WARREN — A request to reset a pre-trial hearing for a Salem woman, accused of assaulting a behavioral health employee in Liberty, was granted by a Trumbull County judge after her lawyer filed a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Filling in for Kristen Kuhns’ attorney, Carlo A. Ciccone, the request was made by attorney Alexander Keane, who brought the request before Judge Andrew D. Logan. The judge agreed to allow for time to review the newly filed motion.

As she appeared in court Tuesday, Kuhns is facing felonious assault charges, a second-degree felony, in an episode that left a behavioral health employee needing surgery for injuries sustained in the December 2022 assault.

A police report states that Kuhns was upset about being admitted into the adult diagnosis unit of Generations Behavioral Health on Colonial Drive. She is accused of sweeping the right leg of the victim and then stomping on his right knee, which broke his shinbone just below his knee.

The 52 year-old employee of the facility was taken to an area hospital where he underwent surgery. Girard Municipal Court later issued a warrant for Kuhns’ arrest, charging her with felonious assault.

Her next court appearance will be before Logan on May 16.