Gift Hill resident Rascio Oquendo Sr., was arrested on Tuesday, May 9, and charged with assaulting his 14-year-old daughter early Sunday morning, May 7.
The principal and nurse at the Julius E. Sprauve School called police on Monday and stated the girl wanted to make a report, VIPD Officer Steven Payne said at a Tuesday, May 9, probable cause hearing, according to one published report.
The girl was brought to the police station at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to the police blotter.
The girl told police that her father slapped her and pulled her by her hair when he picked her up from a party at the St. John Youth Center, across from the fire station in Cruz Bay, at 12:30 a.m. Sunday, according to a report in The Virgin Islands Daily News.
When the two returned home, the girl picked up a rock, and Oquendo threw his daughter to the floor and strangled her, Payne testified according to the published report.
Father Admits Disciplining Daughter
Oquendo admitted to disciplining his daughter by slapping her, and restraining her by gripping her neck, according to the published report of PayneÂ’s testimony.
Judge Brenda Hollar found probable cause at the hearing to uphold the assault charge against Oquendo, who was released after posting 10 percent of $1,000 bail.
The JESS principal was off-island last week and not available for comment.
Oquendo works for the Department of Public Works as a litter enforcement officer on St. John,
