Woman Arrested for Bat Attack on Ex's Van at School

A St. Thomas woman has been charged with destruction of property, simple assault, disturbance of the peace, and contempt of court following an August 13 incident in which she used an aluminum baseball bat to destroy her ex-boyfriend's van, police said.

Mia Hodge was arrested Tuesday morning near Barbel Plaza South and brought before Superior Court Magistrate Judge Simone M. VanHolten-Turnbull on Wednesday for an Advice of Rights hearing.

The damage occurred in the parking lot of Joseph E. Gomez Elementary School in Anna's Retreat. According to police records, Glenn D. Freeman had gone to a nearby bar around 7:30 p.m. that evening. When he spotted Hodge inside, he left immediately and returned to his blue 2018 Ford Transit van.

As Freeman prepared to drive away, a small white car pulled alongside his vehicle. Hodge exited the car, retrieved a silver-and-blue aluminum bat from the passenger side, and began swinging repeatedly at the van's windows, shattering all of them. When Freeman called out and moved toward her, Hodge raised the bat to shoulder height in what appeared to be a threatening posture. Freeman stepped back as Hodge continued destroying the remaining glass before returning to the white car and driving off.

Freeman and Hodge had dated briefly after meeting at a local bar. Freeman had previously obtained a Temporary Restraining Order against Hodge under family court docket ST-2026-DV-00085 after she repeatedly shared details of their relationship on social media.

Detectives Michael Hilaire Sr. and Deneisha Walters apprehended Hodge at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. She exercised her right to remain silent and was represented by private defense attorney Kelsha P. Williams. She was held at the Bureau of Corrections pending her court hearing.