WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) - Two mothers and their 13-year-old daughters were arrested after police say one woman drove her already suspended daughter to school to fight a teenage rival. Ana Rivera, 44, and Maribel Santiago, 34, are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on a charge of simple assault in connection with Monday's fight. Their daughters and two other 13-year-old girls were charged with disorderly conduct and their cases were turned over to the Juvenile Detective Division.
Rivera allegedly drove her daughter to Woonsocket Middle School so she could fight Santiago's daughter.
Police reports say the girls began feuding two weeks ago and began fighting outside the school on Monday. At one point, the melee involved all four girls, both mothers and a teacher, according to police.
Authorities said a teacher tried to break up the fight and was hit by Santiago.
Santiago and Rivera were released on $1,000 bail Monday evening, but Detective Lt. Timothy Paul said the department intends to notify the state Department of Children, Youth and Families about Rivera's case.
Santiago, reached at home Wednesday, said she went to the school to pick up her daughter because of recent threats. She said she apologized to the school's principal and was only trying to protect her daughter. Her daughter was suspended from school for 10 days after the fight.
"I just wanted to make sure my daughter stayed out of trouble," Santiago said.
Rivera could not be reached for comment and it was unclear if she has an attorney.
