Teen arrested for assaulting woman on Thanksgiving day

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A teenager accused of a beating a woman so severely that she may require plastic surgery has been released from jail on bond.

The family of Mallory Owens said 18-year-old Travis Hawkins, Jr. targeted her because of her sexual orientation and they want to see the charge for the Nov. 23 beating upgraded to attempted murder.

The incident occurred as Thanksgiving Day turned violent at Hawkins' home on Bourgeois Drive in Mobile. Mobile Police Department said officers responded to the home for a report of a person being assaulted.  

When police arrived, they found Owens, 23, had been punched repeatedly in the face.

Owens's mother said her daughter was attacked because of her sexual orientation.

"Oh, yes, I know they don't approve of it. This isn't the first time he has attacked Mallory. This is the second time. The first time he attacked her with a pipe and hit her in the back of the head and on the back a few times. People stepped in to help then," said Kristi Taylor, Owens' mother.

Taylor said this time, no one stepped in to shield her daughter from Hawkins's fist. She believes the Hawkins family stood by and let it happen.

An attorney for the Hawkins family, Pete Burns, said that's not true - "They care for Mallory and regret what happened to her. They did not expect this to happen."

The family attorney also denies the accusation that this was a hate crime against Owens.

Owens remained at USA Medical Center on Monday with a fractured jaw, swollen eyes and a crushed cheek.

Mobile Police said Travis Hawkins, Jr. was arrested at Club 5'4 on Sunday. He was booked into Mobile Metro jail and has been released on bond.

Her family said the second-degree assault charge Hawkins received isn't enough; they want to see his charge upgraded.

Taylor said, "I want justice for Mallory. They have on him second-degree assault. He could've killed her. I want attempted murder. She is lucky to be here."

FOX10 News is talking to the Mobile County District Attorney's Office about this crime, who decides what charges are filed and how bond is decided, too.

We'll have more for you as the story develops.