Mugshot of Kenrick Duinkerk.
Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — A man accused of assaulting the mother of his child during a domestic dispute at a Harbor View apartment building is now facing charges before the V.I. Superior Court.
According to court documents, police were summoned to the apartment building Wednesday morning to investigate a report of a disturbance in progress. Responding officers met with a woman who said she had been assaulted by Kenrick Duinkerk.
According to the woman, the couple’s infant child had fallen from the bed earlier that morning. She told police that an initial verbal dispute between the parents quickly escalated when Duinkerk reportedly placed his arm around her neck, applied pressure and threatened to kill her.
The woman said she struck Duinkerk several times while trying to free herself. He reportedly released his hold after she bit his arm, but continued to assault her as she tried to get him out of the apartment.
According to the woman, Duinkerk hit her several times before she kicked him in self-defense and succeeded in driving him away. She told police that he eventually fled the area on foot.
Officers documented the woman’s injuries, including a laceration to her upper lip, bruising on her forehead, red marks on the front of her neck, and bruises and scratches on her right arm.
A wanted poster was issued for Duinkerk. He was located later that same day at a Christiansted gas station and taken into custody.
Duinkerk declined to provide a statement to police. He was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, simple assault and battery, and disturbing the peace, all as crimes of domestic violence.
He was remanded into custody and appeared before Magistrate Christopher Timmons on Thursday morning. During his advice of rights hearing, the judge found probable cause to uphold the charges against him.
Court reconvened Friday for a second hearing, during which bail was set at $50,000. Duinkerk may secure his release ahead of trial by posting 10% in cash. Once released, he will be required to comply with the standard bail conditions imposed by the court.
His next court appearance is scheduled for July 1.
