Mugshot of Daniella Valera. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. CROIX — A mother of five has been arrested after she allegedly assaulted her ex-husband following his rejection of her advances.
Daniella Valera was charged with simple assault and battery, disturbance of the peace and destruction of property. Based on the information provided in the probable cause fact sheet, Valera’s ex-husband called police after she showed up at his house around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 26. He said that he was in his bedroom watching TV when he heard knocking on the window. He responded and then heard a voice he recognized as his ex-wife, stating that she wanted to tell him something. He reportedly asked her “why can’t you tell me over here?” to which she replied, “no, I want to tell you over there.”
The man then exited his home at which point he said Valera walked him over to a coconut tree near the roadway and began hugging him around his waist area. He told her to let go of him and asked what she needed to tell him. However, by his account, she kept trying to hold onto him which he suggested was her way of trying to initiate sex. However, he alleges that she bit him on the forearm after he told her no multiple times. He further stated that she grabbed onto his t-shirt and he ran away, causing the shirt to tear from his body. He then told her that he would call the police if she did not stop. However, the man says his ex-wife refused to listen and continued chasing after him. While he was on the phone with police, Valera began yelling “he lying, he lying” in the background and eventually left before police arrived, according to the probable cause fact sheet.
The responding officer observed what appeared to be a bite mark on the man’s arm and what appeared to be blood. The officer was also presented with two pieces of the man’s torn shirt, one of which was located in a grassy area of the property. On Saturday, January 29th police made contact with Valera in reference to the complaint and she was escorted to a police station for questioning. Valera stated that on the day in question she attempted to contact her ex-husband by telephone to discuss a matter related to their children. However, she says he did not answer the calls. Valera further claimed that she was at home all day caring for her 5 children and did not go to the victim’s property.
She also told police that she would give them permission to speak to her minor children about the matter. However, according to the fact sheet, when officers spoke to two of the children, they stated that their mother had left the house at some point after preparing dinner. The children noted that when she returned home, she explained that she had gone to their father’s house regarding a matter concerning the children.
At Valera’s advisement hearing on Monday, attorney Amelia Joseph requested that she be released on the posting of $101, an amount to which the people had no objection. Judge Ernest Morris Jr. set bail at $1000, noting that Valera would be permitted to post $101 cash and sign an unsecured bond for the remainder. The defendant has been prohibited from going to the premises where her ex-husband resides and must remain at least 1000 feet away from him at all times. The judge stressed that she is to have absolutely no contact with the man and that if she goes anywhere near him she will spend the rest of her time awaiting trial at the Golden Grove Correctional Facility. If contact needs to be made regarding the children, this must be done through another party.
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