John McCarthy
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. Thomas woman was arrested on charges related to “parental neglect” for allegedly allowing her minor son to drive an ATV on a public roadway, authorities said.
Nicole Hazel was arrested and charged with neglect of parental duty/ontributing to the delinquency of a minor and child neglect, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at approximately 3:58 p.m., Nicole Hazel was present at the Juvenile Bureau regarding her minor son being placed into protective custody after he was observed unlawfully operating an ATV on a public roadway, according to the VIPD.
Investigation revealed that Hazel was advised numerous times by the Juvenile Bureau in addition to several patrol officers concerning the dangers of her minor son operating vehicles unlawfully, as well as the dangers posed to other motorists and the community, police said.
Additionally, Hazel was advised of her parental responsibility to her children and indicated that she had knowledge that her minor son continued to unlawfully operate motor vehicles on the public road, according to police.
Hazel was taken into official custody, booked and processed.
She was transferred to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections at the St. Thomas jail.
Hazel is scheduled for an advice-of-rights hearing at the Superior Court in Charlotte Amalie.
This case remains under active investigation.
Anyone who has information about this crime can notify 911 or the Office of the Police Chief.
