WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) – Two mothers and their 13-year-old daughters were arrested after police say one of the mothers drove her already suspended daughter to school to fight a rival.
Maribel Santiago, 34, and Ana Rivera, 44, both of Woonsocket, are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on a charge of simple assault for their alleged involvement in Monday’s fight. Their daughters were charged with disorderly conduct and their cases were turned over to the Juvenile Detective Division.
Rivera allegedly drove her daughter to Woonsocket Middle School so she could fight Santiago’s daughter.
Police reports say the girls began feuding two weeks ago, and Rivera’s daughter told Santiago’s daughter the girl and her sister would be jumped Monday after school.
Police said the girls began fighting outside the school. The melee at one point involved four girls, both mothers and a teacher, according to police.
Two other 13-year-olds also were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
Santiago and Rivera were released on $1,000 bail Monday evening, but Detective Lt. Timothy Paul said the department intends to notify the state Department of Children, Youth and Families about Rivera.
Reached at home Wednesday, Santiago told The Associated Press that she went to the school to pick up her daughter because of the recent threats. She apologized to the school’s principal and said she only wanted to protect her daughter.
“I just wanted to make sure my daughter stayed out of trouble,” Santiago said. Her daughter has been suspended for school for 10 days.
Santiago said she does not have a lawyer yet and expected to plead not guilty at her arraignment.
Rivera could not be reached for comment and it was unclear if she has an attorney.
Authorities said a teacher at the school attempted to break up the fight and was hit by Santiago. Rivera’s hand was allegedly cut by a razor in the incident, but officers haven’t recovered a weapon.
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Information from: The Call, http://www.woonsocketcall.com and The Providence Journal: www.projo.com
AP-ES-01-10-07 1021EST
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