Swampscott woman accused of hitting son with belt

LYNN – A judge ordered a Swampscott woman held without bail pending trial, saying he didn’t trust the defendant to stay away from the child she allegedly beat with a belt when the child refused to get out of bed.”I’ve never been away from him more than a day!” the defendant had told the judge the prior day, pleading to be released because she said the child would be scared without her.Jochy Sanchez, 34, of 27 Blaney St. #2, Swampscott, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; assault and battery; and resisting arrest; on Thursday.She was arraigned that afternoon in Lynn District Court where a plea of not guilty was entered on her behalf.A school guidance counselor reported to police Thursday that the 12-year-old alleged victim came to the guidance office and said his mother had hit him several times with a belt, according to a report by Swampscott Police Officer Steven Luck. The alleged victim said he refused to get out of bed, prompting the beating, according to police.Police photographed red welts on the child’s arms and back.Police reported Sanchez would not respond to approximately 10 minutes of officers’ knocking on her door but finally opened a side door when an officer saw her inside the home.As the officer went to arrest her, Sanchez allegedly walked back inside. Sanchez resisted being handcuffed and refused to acknowledge any instructions or sign any paperwork during booking, police reported.Essex Assistant District Attorney Erin Bellavia requested Thursday that Sanchez be held without bail pending an immediate dangerousness hearing. But court-appointed defense attorney Sam Gates objected to the reliability of only the police-submitted evidence, saying it was hearsay.Wexler agreed, saying the prosecution could not proceed with the hearing based only on the photographs in the case file, as it would not enable the defendant to challenge any witnesses. Wexler continued the dangerousness hearing to Friday.After that hearing, Wexler found Sanchez to be dangerous and that no conditions of release would ensure the alleged victim’s safety. Wexler noted that Sanchez has “shown little understanding” of the charges and “is completely resistant” to any efforts by the Department of Children and Families, according to court documents.He ordered Sanchez held without bail for up to 90 days awaiting trial and scheduled her to return to court March 13.