FREDERIKSTED — A man and a woman living in a Mars Hill apartment complex were arrested for allegedly using a hot metal spatula to “brand” two minors on Friday night. The charge of mayhem means the children were physically disfigured in the incident.
Raymond Joseph, 52, of Canebrake Apartments, was arrested at 6:43 p.m. Friday and charged with child abuse, possession of a dangerous weapon during the commission of a crime of violence, mayhem, first-degree assault, and aggravated child abuse and neglect, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
“Joseph admitted to burning two minors with a hot object,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said.
Charna Goodings, 26, also of Canebrake Apartments, was also arrested and charged with child abuse, aggravated child abuse and neglect, simple assault and battery, mayhem as principal, and first-degree assault as principal, according to the VIPD.
“Goodings allegedly refused to seek medical attention for the minors after learning of the abuse by Joseph,” Derima said.
The minors were transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center for treatment of first- and second-degree burns to their bodies.
No bail was set for Joseph and Goodings. They were each turned over to the custody of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections pending advice-of-rights hearings.
All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this news article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.