ALACHUA COUNTY – A 23-year-old woman was arrested after Alachua County sheriff’s deputies say she intentionally rammed a vehicle carrying a 2-year-old child following a domestic dispute.
Anna Belle Lewis faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated child abuse without causing great bodily harm after investigators concluded she intentionally struck the victim’s vehicle while knowing the child was inside.
According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, a deputy responded after the victim called 911 to report that Lewis was chasing him and had intentionally hit his vehicle.
While responding, the deputy observed Lewis’ vehicle “aggressively” pursuing the victim’s vehicle and reported that she “appeared to be chasing the victim’s vehicle, narrowly missing another collision.” The deputy stopped both vehicles at the Melrose Fire Station.
During the investigation, the victim told deputies he had been visiting the child at Lewis’ residence when Lewis arrived home intoxicated. He said an argument began and, fearing the confrontation would become physical, he picked up the child and ran to his vehicle.
The victim told deputies that as he attempted to leave, Lewis accelerated past his vehicle, positioned her vehicle directly in his path and abruptly applied the brakes. He said he drove through a fence while attempting to avoid a collision but was ultimately unable to prevent Lewis’ vehicle from striking his.
According to the report, Lewis then continued pursuing the victim along County Road 219A while the victim was holding the child and speaking with 911 dispatchers.
Witnesses at the residence reportedly corroborated portions of the victim’s account, telling deputies they saw the victim playing with the child before Lewis arrived and began arguing with him. The witnesses said the victim picked up the child, got into his vehicle and drove away, while Lewis immediately got into her own vehicle and followed him down the driveway. They reported seeing the victim’s vehicle strike a fence but did not witness what occurred once both vehicles reached the roadway.
The deputy reported observing pieces of fencing lodged in the victim’s vehicle’s grille, as well as damage to the rear quarter panel that was consistent with the victim’s statement that his vehicle had been struck.
After being advised of her constitutional rights, Lewis reportedly told deputies that she attempted to hug the child during the argument but that the victim picked up the child and ran to his vehicle. She said she pursued the victim because the child was not secured in a car seat and she feared for the child’s safety.
Lewis has no local criminal history.
Alachua County Judge Joy Danne ordered Lewis held without bail pending a hearing on a motion filed by the State Attorney’s Office seeking pretrial detention. If that motion is denied, bond will be considered at the hearing.
The charges are allegations, and Lewis is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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