It all started when Deputy Richard Peters responded to the 13900 block of SW 95th Street, Dunnellon, in reference to a domestic battery.
Upon arrival on the scene, Deputy Peters made contact with Raiza Bonet, 33, who immediately stated that a witness had made a false report to 9-1-1. Bonet told Deputy Peters that [she] was merely disciplining her child because the child was disrespectful to her.
According to reports, an eyewitness told Deputy Peters that Bonet had recently become violent with the 6-year-old child and that she feared for the child’s life.
During the most recent incident, the witness stated that Bonet took the 6-year-old into a back bedroom and locked the door. The witness told the deputy she then heard a commotion in the back room, so she peeked through a gap in the door. She told Deputy Peters that she could see Bonet holding the child face down into a pillow and her hands were on the back of the child’s head and neck; pinning him down so he couldn’t breathe. The witness stated that the child was being held down with enough force to prevent movement.
The witness attempted to make entry into the room and began yelling for help. The witness was begging Bonet to let the child go, but she refused. According to reports, it wasn’t until Bonet was aware that the witness had dialed 9-1-1 that she released her grip from the child.
The witness also told Deputy Peters that this was not the first incident and handed the deputy a photograph that was taken on July 8, 2014, which showed a large bruise covering the entire left side of the child’s face – from scalp to jaw line.
Deputy Peters then questioned the victim.
The juvenile victim showed Deputy Peters exactly what Bonet had done to him and stated that he could not breathe. When asked if the victim knew the difference between being punished and battered, the victim stated, “She was trying to kill me.” When asked about the bruise on his face, he stated that Bonet had punched him in the face with a closed fist.
Bonet was again questioned, but she denied battering the child. Bonet stated that the child was confused and misunderstood what had happened. According to reports, Bonet told Deputy Peters that she never held the child down and that the door to the bedroom was open the entire time.
When Bonet was questioned about the bruise on the child face, she placed blame on the witness. She later recanted her story and said the child had “fallen.”
Due to having photographic evidence and more than one witness, Bonet was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail.
Department of Children and Families was also notified.
Bonet has claimed indigent and was appointed a public defender.
The conditions of Bonet’s release state that she cannot be within 500 feet of the premises where the victim lives nor go to places where the victim may be present.
Her next court appearance is set for August 19, 2014.
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