Taj James
LAKE HAVASU CITY – Children battled their mother’s boyfriend for trying to drive drunk in Lake Havasu City last spring. The story was detailed during a July 8 change of plea hearing for Taj James.
The 25-year-old defendant from San Diego, his girlfriend from Yuma and her five children were visiting and spent much of April 7 at the lake when the adults were reportedly intoxicated, and James told the kids to get in the car at about 10 p.m.
“The 15- and 12-year-old children wrestled the keys away from him,” according to the factual basis for the plea agreement provided by the Mohave County Attorney’s Office. “He became angry and shoved each of them, knocking the 12-year-old to the ground.”
Prosecutors said the teenager then played chicken with James, getting in and out of the vehicle, to try to protect siblings. James reportedly grabbed an eight-year-old girl, shoved her to the ground and stomped on her legs.
“The 15-year-old sprayed him (James) with pepper spray and locked everyone else in the car,” the factual basis statement said. It continued that James then broke a car window with shattered glass cutting the feet of the eight-year-old and a six-month-old sibling.
Authorities said James was pepper sprayed again as the children scooped up the infant and ran about one-quarter mile to safety while their mother was incapacitated in the vehicle. Javalina Cantina Manager Shivan Narayan was credited with providing the thirsty, barefoot children water, and calling police.
James pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, child abuse and aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol. Judge Billy Sipe imposed a 3.5-year prison term, as mandated in the plea deal.
Dave Hawkins
