Teen Scalped; Suspect Gives Up to Police

A member of a punk clique surrendered Wednesday after being sought by police for scalping another member, apparently as punishment for her disrespectful behavior toward women.

The victim, a 16-year-old girl whose hair was cut in a Mohawk, survived.

Marianne Dahle, 26, surrendered at the Ada County Jail on a felony arrest warrant for aggravated battery. If convicted, she could be sentenced to 14 years in prison. Dahle probably will be formally arraigned today, Boise County Chief Deputy Bill Braddock said.

Dahle is accused of tying up the teenager and cutting away a 6-by-8-inch section of her scalp. She allegedly used a 4-inch knife to cut away the crown and back portion of the scalp.

The victim -- who identified herself to reporters only as Sheila -- said she underwent skin grafts and anticipated another surgery to repair the damage. Authorities did not release the girl’s name.

Dahle was visiting Kirkham Hot Springs in central Idaho with the girl and a friend when the attack occurred Jan. 18. The teenager spent two weeks in the hospital and is now recovering at home.

“When I say this gal was scalped, she was truly scalped,” said Braddock.

“The top of her head, her hair, was completely cut off,” he said. “The motive, as near as we’ve been told by witnesses, was retaliation for acting in a way that the adult perceived as being offensive to women as a gender.”