Onalaska teenager reaches plea agreement in home attack on 15-year-old girl

An 18-year-old from Onalaska was convicted Wednesday of attempted murder, following an attack on a teenage girl last year.

Austin Bailey entered a plea of no contest, during the La Crosse County court hearing before Judge Ramona Gonzalez. A burglary charge was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

There will be more investigation before Bailey is sentenced, on a date yet to be chosen. A possible prison term of around 15 years has been suggested for Bailey.

Police said Bailey attempted to strangle the 15-year-old victim while she was sleeping in her Onalaska home in September of 2022. He then stabbed her with a knife when she woke up.

The victim reportedly had said she didn’t want a relationship with Bailey.

When she fought back during the attack, Bailey fled the home and was arrested a short time later.

The girl had multiple stab wounds and Bailey was carrying a knife when police found him.