By Jerry Burke
According to detectives, Candace Phillips, 27, was waiting on line to purchase clothing at the Old Navy store on Fulton Avenue when, at 6:24 p.m. she suddenly became agitated. Witnesses described that Phillips threw the merchandise on the floor and grabbed her 1-year-old daughter by the arm.
Police say she then proceeded to drag the child out toward the door, knocking over a clothing rack to the floor in the process. Witnesses said the child was unable to catch-up to her mother and was crying the entire time.
Upon exiting the store, more witnesses alleged Phillips tossed her daughter into her car, with the child hitting the door on the way in. After that, police say she then hit the child with an open hand and later a closed first. One passerby threatened to call the police, too which police say Phillips cursed at those watching the scene and drove off.
One witness, however, wrote down the license plate number of the automobile and immediately called police. The Third Precinct in conjunction with the Bureau of Special Operations tracked down the plates and arrested Phillips a little after midnight on July 4 in South Ozone Park.
Phillips has been charged with third degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. She was arraigned on Friday in First District Court in Hempstead.
According to Det. William Gray of the Third Squad, Juvenile Aid was notified and the child is now in the temporary custody of a grandparent.
