SOUTH DAYTONA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) -
A 19-year-old South Daytona woman is accused of stabbing a stranger at a Christmas party nine times after he allegedly made fun of her boyfriend, police say.
Desiree Kleinow, 19, has been charged with attempted murder and is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail without bond.
"Officers responding to the scene said there was blood on the Christmas tree and blood on the presents," South Daytona Police Lt. Zack Pickett said.
Police said it happened inside Kleinow's aunt's apartment off Reed Canal Road on Tuesday morning.
The victim, Joshua Stonaker, 30, allegedly called Kleinow's boyfriend, Jason Ojeda, names such as "Juan Valdez," according to a police report.
"There was a lot of drinking and alcohol involved," Pickett said. "Through the course of the night, Josh started making jokes at Desiree's boyfriend's expense. At the end of the night, they came to turns and agreed with each other and shook hands."
But it apparently didn't sit well with Kleinow.
Hours later, on Christmas morning, police said Kleinow stabbed the victim nine times.
"She stabbed him in the neck, in the chest and in the back," Pickett said.
Stonaker was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center and released Tuesday night.
Witnesses told police that after the stabbing, Kleinow dropped to her knees and began sobbing.
Fox 35 tried speaking with Kleinow's aunt and the victim, who both live in the same apartment complex. However, neither answered the door or responded to messages.
Police said they tried to interview Kleinow on Christmas Day after arresting her, but the police report stated that she was "out of control."
"It's really unfortunate, but sometimes when alcohol gets involved your emotions get the best of you," Pickett said.
