St. Thomas Mother Charged in Neglect
A St. Thomas woman, Nicole Hazel, was arrested after her minor son was taken into protective custody for allegedly operating an ATV on a public road. Police say Hazel had been repeatedly warned about her son’s unlawful vehicle use and now faces charges including child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Thomas woman was arrested and charged with child neglect after her minor son was placed into protective custody following an incident in which he was observed operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on a public road, the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) said. According to VIPD, the matter began on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, when Nicole Hazel appeared at the VIPD Juvenile Bureau at approximately 3:58 p.m. in relation to her son being taken into protective custody.
Officers reported removing the child after seeing him operate the ATV illegally on a public roadway. Investigators said Hazel had been warned on numerous occasions by both the Juvenile Bureau and patrol officers about the risks associated with her son’s activities. Those warnings, police said, included concerns about danger to the child, other road users and the wider community.
Officers also told Hazel of her parental responsibilities; VIPD reports she acknowledged knowing that her son continued to operate motor vehicles unlawfully. Following the investigation, Hazel was arrested and charged with Neglect of Parental Duty Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Child Neglect, VIPD said.
She was booked, processed and remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending an Advice of Rights hearing. The department said the case remains under active investigation. VIPD has asked anyone with information related to the incident to contact emergency services at 911 or the Office of the Police Chief.
The department did not release additional information about the child’s condition or age. Why this matters to BVI residents: Small island communities across the region, including the British Virgin Islands, frequently face similar safety and enforcement challenges with ATV and off-road vehicle use.
ATVs are popular for recreation and utility, but operating them on public roads can create serious hazards. Local authorities often emphasize parental responsibility where minors are involved and may take protective custody if a child’s safety is deemed at risk. Residents are reminded to secure vehicles, supervise children’s use of motorised equipment, and to report unsafe or illegal road behaviour to police.
The VIPD case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement in neighbouring territories to address juvenile safety and community risk through both warnings and criminal charges when necessary.
Primary source: VINO