Mother and Stepfather Charged for Assaulting 13-Year-Old Daughter

A mother in western Belize is facing criminal charges after her 13-year-old daughter accused her of physical abuse. The mother allegedly beat the child with a climbing rope and stomped on her, while the child’s stepfather also participated in the assault.  The 43-year-old mother appeared in court today on charges of abetment to harm and harm. She pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.  The 13-year-old girl reported to police that on November 30, 2024, her mother became angry after discovering she had sent partial nude photos to an unknown male on Instagram. The mother allegedly retrieved a rope and began beating the child.  The girl further alleged that her stepfather joined the assault, holding her down while her mother continued to beat her. The child sustained injuries, including bruises.  The mother was arrested and charged. She pleaded not guilty to both charges of abetment to harm and harm.  The court granted her bail, and the case was adjourned to March 7. The defense attorney, Norman Rodriguez, indicated he would be making legal submissions regarding the charges, arguing that parents have the right to discipline their children within certain limits.

Norman Rodriguez, Attorney: “She was brought before the court on the complaint of the child on the charges that were proffered on her and she was granted bail, a small bail of $600 and one surety and the matter was reserved until the 7th of March for her to be served her disclosure and then we set a trial date on that date if the disclosure is served on her. This is a matter that I myself could have found myself in if I had a teenage child because I definitely would not be pleased if my child was to be placed or to be placed in the same set of circumstances which involve issues that are very serious before any court of law but that is a matter that will arise when we go to trial. I don’t see the charge or the charges going forward, at least the harm charge because the fact would not supply the grounds for the establishment of the crime of harm in this case. I cannot really say much more because it’s a minor and we all know the laws do protect the welfare of the child so we’re supposed to keep it that but this is a very serious matter because I definitely would not allow my child to be engaging in that kind of behavior and there’s proof on the family’s side of what was done wrong.”

Love News understands that following the incident, the Belize Human Services Department intervened and removed the child from the home. The child is now living with her biological father.