Raritan Mom Charged With Assault, Lashing Child's Back: Police

RARITAN, NJ — A Raritan mother was arrested and charged for assaulting her child on Friday in the borough.

Raritan Police Officers were called to the area of Thompson Street and Railroad Avenue on Feb. 15 at 3:25 p.m. after a juvenile could be heard yelling for help, police report.

Officers said they saw that the juvenile was injured, "consistent with a lashing on the juvenile’s back."

As a result, the juvenile’s mother, a 45-year-old Raritan woman, was charged with simple assault.

"In regard to the child abuse incident, we are currently not releasing the name of the mother to protect the identity of the juvenile and the whole outcome of the investigation," Raritan Police Sgt. Everett Holt said.

Additional charges may be filed pending further investigation by Raritan Detectives and the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.

Other Raritan Police blotter items:

On Feb. 10 at 8:57 a.m.: Takiem Dawson, 31, and Derek Brown, 27, both of Charlotte, North Carolina, were each charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance following a motor vehicle stop on Route 202. Officer Benjamin Griffin investigated.

On Feb. 10 at 12:58 a.m.: Khalil Motez, 23, and Ashley Daniels, 18, both of Brooklyn, were each charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance following a motor vehicle stop on Route 206. Officer Damien Chromowsky investigated.

On Feb. 10 at 10:12 p.m.: Jessica Pyrka, 35, of Branchburg, was arrested for driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop on Thompson Street. Officer Joseph Nepomuceno investigated.

On Feb. 11: Richard Destefano, 43, of Manville, was arrested for an outstanding warrant issued by the New Jersey State Police following a motor vehicle stop on Route 206. Destefano was later taken into custody by New Jersey State Troopers at police headquarters. Sgt. Everett Holt investigated.

On Feb. 13 at 6:13 p.m.: Raritan Police Officers were dispatched to the area of Route 202 North and Quick Avenue for a motor vehicle accident. While conducting an investigation, Officer Damien Chromowsky detected the odor of marijuana emanating from a vehicle that was driven by Rachel Voorhees, 26, of Flemington. A search of the vehicle yielded a small quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Voorhees was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and careless driving.

On Feb. 13 at 10:08 p.m.: Brandon Yanez, 20, of Bridgewater, was arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia following a motor vehicle stop on Route 202. Officer Joseph Nepomuceno investigated.

On Feb. 13 at 11:22 p.m.: Derrick Rucks, 24, of Raritan, was arrested for an outstanding warrant issued by the City of Newark Court following a motor vehicle stop on East Somerset Street. Officer Damien Chromowsky investigated.

On Feb. 15 at 2:34 a.m.: Raritan Police Officers were dispatched to the Quick Chek at 119 Route 202 for a disorderly person. On scene, officers observed Terrence Johnson, 38, of Somerville, punching and kicking the walls in store bathroom. Johnson also was observed to be intoxicated. A subsequent warrant check of Johnson revealed he was wanted by the Somerville Police Department on an outstanding warrant. Somerville Police Officers responded to the scene to take custody of Johnson. Sgt. Steven Bonczek and Officer Joseph Nepomuceno investigated.

On Feb. 15 at 8:11 p.m.: Joshua Murillo, 21, of Bridgewater, was arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance following a motor vehicle stop on Weiss Terrace. Sgt. James Raniere investigated.

On Feb. 16 at 4:13 a.m.: Raritan Police Officers were dispatched to an apartment at the Stonebridge Apartment Complex for a fight. Information was received that a man had two knives and a victim had his teeth knocked out. On scene, officers did not observe anyone holding a knife, but learned that a 21-year-old Raritan man, whose name cannot be released due to domestic violence guidelines, had assaulted his partner. The man was placed under arrest and taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

(Image via Shutterstock)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.