Two Women Arrested For Battery After Child Custody Exchange: Cops

RIVERSIDE, IL — Two women were arrested Tuesday stemming from an incident during a child custody exchange. Riverside Police arrested Elizabeth Rodriguez, 24, of the 0-100 block of Longcommon Road for misdemeanor battery; and Chantelle Gerami, 31, of Arizona, for domestic battery. Police said they responded to reports of a fight at 9:20 p.m. Oct. 31 at 7 E. Burlington Road.

According to police, when officers arrived, Rodriguez and Gerami were arguing with each other and other people were trying to hold them back from fighting. Police learned there was a 33-year-old Riverside resident who was making a child custody exchange with Rodriguez when she started to attack Gerami, who was sitting in the car during the exchange. Police said Rodriguez became upset and thought Gerami was a "stripper." Police found no evidence to back up Rodriguez's claims.

Police said Gerami wanted to sign complaints against Rodriguez, so Rodriguez was taken into custody. Gerami was treated by paramedics at the scene and left for the police department. According to police, when the arresting officer pulled into the police station lot with Rodriguez, he saw there was a fight directly in front of him; Gerami was battering the 33-year-old man from the earlier child custody exchange. Police then took Gerami into custody for domestic battery.

According to police, a four-year-old child was also present throughout the disturbance. Police contacted DCFS and reported the incident as a possible child endangerment.

Photos provided by Riverside Police Department.