Criminal Corner 12
Mom Accused of Beating Up Young Son For Stealing Her Marijuana
Manatee Herald Staff Report
A 35-year-old Bradenton woman was arrested July 21 on child abuse charges.
According to the Bradenton Police Department, Crystal Jennings accused her 11-year-old son of picking the lock to her bedroom at around 10 p.m. on July 20, and stealing her marijuana from her nightstand.
According to the arrest report, Jennings hit the victim in the eye with a broomstick and then hit the child, “with a closed fist multiple times.”
During the interview, police say Jennings denied having marijuana in the home and denied that she smokes marijuana. She tested positive for marijuana in a subsequent drug test conducted by Child Protective Services, according to the report.
Jennings was booked into the Manatee County jail on the child abuse charge and released the following day after posting a $1,500 bond.
She Ran From The Cops, But Left Her Kid Behind
A 22-year-old Bradenton woman is facing multiple charges, including child neglect after a night of violence, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Julisa Garcia was arrested just before 5 a.m. on July 24.
Deputies say they were responding to a domestic violence call regarding Garcia punching a male victim in the mouth, but Garcia was no longer on the scene upon arrival.
According to the arrest report, Garcia did come back and was told she was being arrested for domestic violence, but pulled away from the deputy and ran to her vehicle. Her child was in the backseat during a prolonged encounter with law enforcement, deputies say.
Garcia kept entering and exiting the vehicle multiple times while arguing with the deputy.
Deputies say after several minutes, Garcia started her vehicle and sped away, but a sheriff’s office vehicle blocked her in the parking lot.
According to the report, Garcia left the vehicle and began leaving the scene on foot while also leaving the child in the vehicle, “giving no care or regard for that child’s safety and she abandoned (the child) to try to evade arrest.”
Deputies say Garcia physically resisted arrest and attempted to kick one of the deputies in the groin.
Garcia was booked into the Manatee County jail on charges of resisting arrest, battery, child neglect and resisting law enforcement with violence.
Garcia was released the following day on bonds totaling $4,000.
