CHRISTIANSTED — A St. Croix child custody drop off resulted in a body slamming and strangulation attempt after the father involved saw his ex-girlfriend’s reaction to his new girlfriend.
Victor Vargas, 36, of St. Croix was arrested about 1:39 p.m. on Wednesday and charged with second-degree assault-domestic violence, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
A woman called the 911 Emergency Call Center about 7:52 a.m. Wednesday to report that she had been assaulted by Vargas, according to the VIPD.
“The female stated that she went to drop off her minor child to Mr. Vargas however when she got inside the apartment she was greeted by an unknown female,” VIPD spokesman Glen Dratte said.
An argument soon began between Vargas and the mother dropping off their mutual child when he suddenly “became enraged.”
“The female victim stated that Mr. Vargas body slammed her to the floor, got on top of her, and began to strangle her to the point she was unable to breathe,” according to Dratte.
Other witnesses that were present confirmed Vargas assaulted female victim, police said.
Vargas was advised of his Miranda Rights prior to his arrest and booked. No bail was set as per the domestic violence law.
Vargas was then remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections Detention Center pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
The California court system recommends a parenting plan where the parents don’t have to see each other, such as dropping off the child at school and having the other parent pick them up.