Crime

Woman Arrested for Pepper-Spraying Man During Dispute Over Child Custody

ST. CROIX — A woman has been arrested and charged after allegedly pepper-spraying a man during a heated dispute involving a minor relative at the Ruby M. Rouse housing community on St. Croix. According to police, the incident occurred last Thursday when a man reported being assaulted while caring for his grandson. Officers later met with the man at the Juan F. Luis Hospital, where he was being treated for his injuries. He explained that he had been watching his grandson while the child’s mother — his daughter — was at work. The man told investigators that while outside with the child, he saw Idelys Valera-Feliz, the child’s paternal aunt, speaking to the boy in the parking lot. He noted that the child’s parents are currently involved in a custody case and that the court has ruled the child should remain with his mother for the time being. Based on that, he decided to take the child back into the house. He reported that Valera-Feliz followed him to the apartment, visibly upset and us...