Mugshot of Amanda Gonzalez. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — A mother accused of assaulting her teenage son is facing multiple domestic violence charges after police say the incident unfolded in front of her other children, who later reported her to authorities.
According to court documents, police were dispatched to a housing complex in Christiansted on Thursday evening after receiving reports of a domestic disturbance. When officers arrived, they met a teenage girl who said that her mother, Amanda Gonzalez, had physically attacked her brother earlier that day.
According to the children’s account, the confrontation began inside the family car as Gonzalez and her son argued about a school project. When they arrived home, the disagreement escalated. Gonzalez allegedly grabbed the boy by his shirt and began strangling him while his siblings watched in horror. The children told police they saw their brother’s face turn red as they pleaded with their mother to stop.
Instead of relenting, Gonzalez reportedly pushed and shoved her son around the kitchen, yelling at the other children to go upstairs. After releasing her grip, she allegedly confiscated all of their electronic devices and left for work.
The children said this was not the first time Gonzalez had been violent toward them. Officers later observed bruising under the boy’s chin, on his left hand, and on his back, along with a scratch on the side of his neck.
Police tracked Gonzalez down for questioning, but she declined to provide a statement. She was arrested and charged with child abuse, second-degree assault, and simple assault and battery, all as crimes of domestic violence.
On Friday, Gonzalez appeared before Magistrate Venetia Velazquez, who found probable cause to uphold the charges. Bail was set at $60,000, with $1,000 payable in cash for her release ahead of trial, and the remainder signed as an unsecured bond.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for October 22.
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