Man Allegedly Pushes Girlfriend Holding Toddler in Pool During Brutal Outburst

ST. THOMAS — A man who reportedly began punching his girlfriend during an argument while she held their toddler is now facing several felony charges including child abuse.

According to court documents, police were summoned to a short-term rental unit in Estate Nazareth on Sunday after reports of a domestic violence assault. They met with a woman who said that her boyfriend, Justin Vasquez, had been drinking on the deck near the pool. After two bottles of tequila, he reportedly began arguing with her about not spending enough time with him.

The woman said that she kept her distance from Vasquez to avoid further arguments, but he entered the house, approached her, and began to curse. The woman’s mother reportedly tried to get her daughter’s boyfriend to calm down, but he merely included her in the barrage of cursing.

The woman told police that she pushed Vasquez out of her face, upon which he began punching her in the face and head, while she held their young child. He also reportedly began throwing things, hitting her in the left eye with a bottle of men’s cologne. A portable clothing steamer struck both her and their child.