A Belize City mother was charged for maim today after she allegedly beat her 7-year-old son with a knife, causing injuries to his eye and his hand. 30-year-old Natalie Palacio was unrepresented in court today where the prosecutor submitted 10 witness statements and 10 documentary exhibits against her.
When the Senior Magistrate asked Palacio if she had any submissions for the court to consider, or any reasons why she should not be committed to stand trial, she said no. And when asked if she had any alibi witnesses to call on her behalf during the trial, she explained that the only other person who was at the house at that time was sleeping.
After the Senior Magistrate ruled that there was sufficient evidence, she set the trial's start date for April 20, 2023.
The incident reportedly occurred on February 14th, 2022 in Mahogany Height Village. In a report given to the police on March 2nd, the child's father said that while the minor was at a neighbor's house with his mother, she hit him several times with a knife in his face and hand. According to the father, ever since then, the child has been complaining of pain and partial loss of vision in his left eye.
Palacio is currently out on bail of $8,000 with two sureties of $4,000 each.
