UPDATE – woman charged in firecracker assault on homeless woman in February pleads no contest to one felony or misdemeanor charge: three additional charges dismissed, receives suspended sentence
Editor’s note- Mendocinocoast.news has learned that the victim in this case would not cooperate or testify. This was a factor in why the case ended the way it did.
Viral videos can destroy your life.
Possible Life Lesson – don’t film crimes!
A 21-year-old Fort Bragg woman who was arrested 6 months after a firecracker attack on a homeless woman, after her viral video ended up in the hands of Fort Bragg police, got no jail time, that is unless she fails to complete a 2-year court-ordered probation program.
Taylor Rylie Carnahan originally faced two felony charges and two misdemeanor charges. All but one charge, were dismissed.
Judge Clay Brennan sentenced Carnahan to 180 days in jail on the following charge: PC368(B)(1): INFLICTING PAIN/MENTAL SUFFERING UPON DEPENDENT ADULT.
Carnahan was arrested in February for an attack that had occurred and been recorded on video in the summer of 2024. The video made its way around social media and when the police received it, they investigated and made two arrests, one of Carnahan and the other for a minor who was in the car with her.
That charge is a “wobbler” meaning it can be either a misdemeanor or a felony. The original charge was a felony but the plea in the file does not say which. Update—I got the following from an anonymous contributor. She was convicted of a felony, but she’s eligible to have it reduced to a misdemeanor after 1 year of completing her probation requirements. It’s on the court website if you read it right. They wouldn’t have put her on formal supervision if this was a misdemeanor.” In checking online legal resources it says formal probation can happen with a misdemeanor but it is usually reserved for felonies. In fact, several websites put together by trial lawyers say what my critic is saying is factually wrong. Here is one. We will attempt to find out more Monday.
Where can formal probation be part of the sentence?
Her sentence was all suspended the court files show, meaning if she completes the second part, probation, the jail time will not have to be served.
She received 2 years of probation, which started May 15.
The attack on a frightened homeless woman minding her own business drew regional publicity such as in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
The case created considerable public outrage and more than a little misinformation to be spread on social media.
The plea came on April 1, just before a preliminary hearing was scheduled. Then sentencing was set. She pleaded no contest to elder abuse.
The crime can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, but for whatever reason, the court file does not indicate which.
Carnahan, a 2021 graduate of Fort Bragg High School was working as a hair stylist when the police issued a press release about her arrest. She had been a volunteer for community events when the news broke; many expressed their surprise on social media while others expressed fury and outrage at this act.
Mendocinocoast.news would love to hear from the victim, or the person convicted or anyone involved in the case (folks merely expressing an opinion are free to do so at the end of the article.) We tried making contacts but we are open to telling their story. Please email frankhartzell@gmail.com
(Editor’s note. This is part of the pledge of Mendocinocoast.news to follow up on cases that were reported at the time of the arrest. In this case, the court dismissed all but one charge and imposed a suspended sentence and probation. I would ask people to refrain from using this young woman as a punching bag. I did not see the entire case and neither did you. Let’s make positive suggestions on educating people about the homeless and maybe ask if this woman has any remorse or is willing to apologize.
The Mendocinocoast.news story on the arrest
And the original story about the video in Mendocinocoast.news
Summary of the outcome of the case from the court files
CARNAHAN, TAYLOR RYLIE
| 1 | PC245(A)(4): ASSAULT BY MEANS OF FORCE LIKELY TO PRODUCE GREAT BODILY INJURY | *Dismissal – Other Dismissal |
| 2 | PC368(B)(1): INFLICTING PAIN/MENTAL SUFFERING UPON DEPENDENT ADULT | *Plea of guilty/Nolo – Before prelim |
| 3 | HS12680: DISCHARGE FIREWORKS WHERE LIKEY TO INJURE | *Dismissal – Other Dismissal |
| 4 | PC272(A)(1): CONTRIBUTING TO DELINQUENCY OF MINOR | *Dismissal – Other Dismissal |
Adult Confinement
Type: *Jail
Facility: Mendocino County Jail
Start Date: 05/14/2025
Term Type: Confinement
Term: 180 Days
Suspended: 180 Days
Probation
Type: *Formal-Supervised
Start Date: 05/14/2025
Term: 24 Months
End Date: 05/14/2027
