Two Newberry Women Charged with Burglary and Battery

GAINESVILLE – Two 23-year-old women from Newberry were arrested early Wednesday morning after allegedly attacking a woman and a 74-year-old man outside a home in Gainesville.

Christine Annmarie Babione and Cindy Rachell Discua were taken into custody at approximately 2:43 a.m. on March 26, 2025, according to the Gainesville Police Department (GPD).

A GPD officer reported that the incident began in the 3900 block of Northeast 1^st Terrace, where the female victim was entering her vehicle when the two women approached her. Babione allegedly slapped the victim on the neck, and a physical altercation ensued between all three women.

The female victim retreated to her residence, but Babione and Discua allegedly entered her vehicle and sat inside. When the victim returned and told them to leave, they allegedly refused and began assaulting her again, with the altercation starting inside the vehicle and continuing outside.

The confrontation escalated until the male victim exited the vehicle to intervene. He told police he placed Discua in a headlock in an attempt to separate the group, at which point Discua allegedly bit him in the chest. While he was restraining her, Babione reportedly punched him in the face.

The female victim then reportedly grabbed a cooking pan and struck both Babione and Discua, prompting them to retreat. The officer noted the male victim had a visible bite mark on his chest.

Post-Miranda, Discua reportedly told officers she and Babione had been drinking in downtown Gainesville before Babione suggested visiting a friend’s house. She said a physical altercation began immediately upon arriving at the residence. Discua initially denied involvement in the fight but later admitted she and Babione had both participated, though she denied being the aggressor.

Discua also reportedly said she knew the victims but was unable to provide their names or address. She stated the female victim had agreed to give her a ride. According to the report, both women appeared intoxicated and gave contradictory statements.

The victims told police they did not know Babione or Discua and had been inside their home before the incident.

During a search incident to arrest, officers reportedly found about 5.1 grams of marijuana in Discua’s purse, which was located in the female victim’s vehicle.

Babione was charged with burglary with battery and battery on a person over 65. She has no prior criminal convictions. Although the State Attorney’s Office filed notice of its intent to seek a hearing to hold her without bail until trial, Judge Mark Moseley ordered her released on her own recognizance.

Discua was charged with burglary with battery, battery on a person over 65, and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. She also has no criminal convictions. Judge Moseley released her on her own recognizance under the same conditions.

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