Boulder Creek resident Eric Rebert Johnston, 23, was arrested on suspicion of committing a series of violent acts against his 9-month-old daughter and his wife April 1 and has pleaded not guilty to several felony and misdemeanor counts.
According to the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, Johnston became angry while driving with his wife, 22-month-old daughter and 9-month-old daughter at about 7:50 p.m. and pulled his red Volkswagen Beetle over to the side of the road along Highway 9 at Riverdale Boulevard in Boulder Creek.
He allegedly got out and threw the 9-month-old more than 20 feet. The girl landed in the lanes of Highway 9, causing road rash and cuts to her stomach, sides, tongue and legs.
“How vicious can you be?” District Attorney Bob Lee said. “He just grabs her by the arm and flings her like a rag doll.”
According to the district attorney’s office, the mother retrieved the girl and complied with Johnston’s order to get back in the car so they could leave.
Once he had parked at home in Boulder Creek, Johnston reportedly punched his wife multiple times in the side of the head. While the 9-month-old was still in her arms, Johnston elbowed the baby causing a black eye. The man also allegedly threatened to kill the mother if she said anything.
“He elbowed her like he was smashing her against the boards,” Lee said. “To say this is cruel is an understatement.”
Lee said a neighbor near Riverdale Boulevard heard the incident on Highway 9 and saw the Volkswagen before it drove away, leading to Johnson’s arrest by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office the next morning.
Johnston has pleaded not guilty to felony counts of domestic battery, child endangerment causing serious bodily injury, criminal threats and dissuading a witness. He also pleaded not guilty to counts of false imprisonment, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury and a misdemeanor violation of a criminal protective order.
Johnston was convicted of domestic violence against his wife in 2009, according to Lee.
“The case is, procedurally, in the early stages,” public defender Allen Cave wrote in a statement. “As the case proceeds closer to the trial stage, it will become apparent that the case is more complex than current press coverage asserts. Further, contrary to explicit statements from the district attorney, the evidence is unequivocal that the child was not thrown from a moving car. Maintaining that the child was thrown from a moving car is simply in direct contradiction to evidence that was received at the preliminary hearing.”
Johnston is being held in county jail on $135,000 bail, and his arraignment will be next week.
Lee said the district attorney’s office is still looking into the case, and Johnston could face seven or eight years in jail. He noted that Johnston will not be tried for attempted murder, because attempted murder can only be charged if there is malice with intent to kill.
At a glance
To report domestic violence, residents can reach out to any the following resources:
• Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office: 471-1121
• Child Protective Services: 454-4222
• Mountain Community Resources: 335-6600
• Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: 426-3062
• Women’s Crisis Support: 685-3737
• Emergency: 9-1-1
