A Schuylkill County man faces assault and threat charges after police say he knocked a juvenile unconscious and threatened to kill family members during an early morning domestic dispute Monday.
Police charged 34-year-old Jayson Hierro-Delacruz, of Mahanoy City, following an investigation into the disturbance.
When troopers from the State Police-Frackville barracks arrived shortly before 2:30 a.m. Monday, they found several people arguing outside, according to police. Police say a juvenile victim bleeding from both nostrils after a relative reported the youth had been knocked out. Police immediately detained Hierro-Delacruz.
A relative told troopers he rushed to the home after receiving calls from children inside that Hierro-Delacruz was beating his nephew. Upon arrival, the relative reportedly found Hierro-Delacruz punching walls inside the house. When the relative attempted to reach the youth, police say Hierro-Delacruz threatened to kill him and his family, stating how sick he was of them. Hierro-Delacruz then allegedly went outside and knocked another relative to the ground.
Police say Hierro-Delacruz also warned the family member in Spanish as officers arrived, telling him, “Watch what’s going to happen if he talks.”
Another witness told police she woke up to the commotion, ran downstairs, and saw Hierro-Delacruz on top of her brother, hitting him while he lay on the floor. She told officers the altercation began when Hierro-Delacruz struck the children’s mother, prompting the boy to push Hierro-Delacruz off her before being attacked himself. The witness reported trying to separate Hierro-Delacruz from her family, but said he continued going after her mother and brother.
The juvenile was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-East by his grandmother for medical evaluation.
While being transported to the Frackville barracks, police say Hierro-Delacruz made unprompted statements claiming the youth “wasn’t sh**” and that “he probably came at me.” Investigators say Hierro-Delacruz admitted to shoving the youth and remarked that the children’s mother “was lucky to be alive after what she put him through.”
State Police charged Hierro-Delacruz with one misdemeanor count of simple assault, two misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats, and three summary counts of harassment.
Hierro-Delacruz was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James Reiley and posted $20,000 bail through a bondsman. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8 before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker.
Schuylkill County Crisis & Support Resources
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence, free, confidential, and inclusive help is available 24/7 in Schuylkill County.
- Schuylkill Hope Center (Domestic Violence): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 622-6220, text HOPELINE to 20121, or visit schopecenter.org. Services include emergency shelter, housing assistance, counseling, and legal representation.
- SARCC (Sexual Assault): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 628-2965 or visit sarccheals.org for counseling, advocacy, and healing support for survivors of sexual violence.
- Outside Schuylkill County: Residents across Pennsylvania can find their local domestic violence program at pcadv.org. You can also visit domesticshelters.org to find resources near you.
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