Santa Rosa toddler, mother struck in attack under investigation as possible hate crime

A 52-year-old Santa Rosa woman and her sister were jailed on suspicion of punching and shoving a woman holding a crying toddler while in line at a Santa Rosa store, an incident under investigation as a possible hate crime, Sonoma County sheriff’s officials said.

A witness told deputies Marion Forrest said something along the lines of “Mexican baby needs to shut up” when standing in line behind a woman holding her crying 2-year-old child about ?2:30 p.m. Friday at the Dollar Tree on Sebastopol Road, Sgt. Spencer Crum said. The mother also had two other children, ages ?4 and 13, with her.

After the derogatory comment, Forrest and the mother, a 32-year-old Santa Rosa woman who was not identified, argued, and Forrest moved toward the mother in a confrontational manner, Crum said.

Forrest’s sister, 47-year-old Frankie Brouwer of Santa Rosa, apparently tried to restrain Forrest but didn’t succeed, Crum said.

Forrest began fighting with the mother, landing several punches on both the mother and her toddler, who wasn’t injured, according to Crum. The mother also threw several punches during the fight, which was caught on surveillance video, he said.

A bystander tried to intervene and restrain Forrest, who then picked up a plastic grocery divider off a conveyor belt and hit him in the head, Crum said. Meanwhile, Brouwer began fighting with and assaulting the mother holding the toddler, Crum said.

The altercations were largely over when deputies arrived.

Forrest was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, battery and child abuse. Brouwer was arrested on suspicion of battery and child abuse. Both are being held in lieu of $150,000 bail and will appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Crum said the Sheriff’s Office will be asking the Sonoma County District Attorney’s office to review the case and determine whether the suspected assault constitutes a hate crime.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 707-521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.