Witnesses: Woman Run Over 3 Times During Wild Child Custody Dispute In Central Islip
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Chaos and commotion broke out just steps from Family Court in Central Islip on Tuesday. The incident was described by some witnesses as a soap opera gone wild.
A child custody battle spilled out into the courthouse parking lot where it quickly got out of control. A woman got hit by a car not once, but three times, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported.
1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reports
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Assault and reckless endangerment charges were lodged against the Suffolk County couple that allegedly took turns behind the wheel, police told CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan.
"She was driving the car. She hit her first. Then they switched seats and ran over her again twice," witness Tamatha Jackson said.
Witnesses describe blood curdling screams coming from the pavement, where 23-year-old Saadia Taylor laid under the wheels of a white Hyundai. Then, shockingly, witnesses said the car backed up and inched forward repeatedly, running her down.
"There is a lot of blood on the hood of the car. It was the one that hit her and they arrested him," witness Richard Curcio said.
"They locked both of them up and the victim got taken away in an ambulance," witness Taaj Jackson added.
It began as a tragic custody fight over a 6-month-old baby boy, police said. The mom, identified as 22-year-old Arielle Hardy, and her ex, identified as Anthony Andrews of Bay Shore, were involved in a bitter break up. He was dating another woman and brought her to the hearing. Emotions spilled over from the courtroom to the court parking lot, police said.
"It's an ugly situation. Everybody suffers, especially the kids," witness Ed Iacona said.
A brawl broke out between the two sides, police said, with the mom of the baby roughed up. Her friend, Taylor, stepped into the fray and tried to stop the Hyundai from leaving -- with her body.
That's when Andrews and his new girlfriend, Rene Berry, took turns behind the wheel, inching forward and knocking down the victim that had blocked their getaway, police said.
Witnesses boxed in the car and screamed for court officers.
"This is a place of lives with children and parents and termination of parental rights and abuse and neglect and who should pay for whom. Oh, emotions run very high," matrimonial attorney Evie Zarkadas said.
"This is the place where we don't watch reality shows; we live them every day," another person added.
The 23-year-old friend of the mom was treated for numerous bumps bruises and scrapes. She and the baby's mother were inside the 3rd Precinct Tuesday night giving statements to police.
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