Worcester Mother's Assault Charge Dropped After ICE Arrest

Worcester Mother's Criminal Charges Dropped After ICE Arrest

A Worcester mother who was taken into federal immigration custody during a high-profile arrest is no longer facing the criminal charge that initially led to her detention. Court records indicate that the assault and battery charge against Rosane Ferreira De Oliveira has been dismissed.

Ferreira De Oliveira, 40, was originally charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a pregnant victim in February. According to court documents, the weapon used in the incident was described as "a phone charger cable." The alleged victim was her daughter, as noted in a police report filed in Worcester District Court.

The police officer involved in the case stated that the victim told authorities that Ferreira De Oliveira struck her with the phone charger cable, causing visible welts on her arm. However, the charge was dropped on July 18 after prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the case. A prosecutor noted that “the complaining witness in this case does not wish to proceed.”

“It is our understanding that at this time the defendant is in federal custody,” the prosecutor added. They also requested that the case be dismissed without prejudice, which means the state could potentially refile charges if necessary.

Sarah Amorin, a public defender representing Ferreira De Oliveira, stated that “her daughter never wanted to have her mother prosecuted.” Ferreira De Oliveira is currently in federal immigration custody at the Strafford County Corrections in Dover, New Hampshire, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s inmate tracker.

Amorin confirmed that Ferreira De Oliveira remains detained by ICE and mentioned that her immigration attorney is working on her asylum case. However, ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding how this development might affect her detention.

High-Profile ICE Arrest and Community Reaction

Two of Ferreira De Oliveira’s daughters were present when she was arrested by ICE agents on Eureka Street in May. She was reportedly lured outside her home by agents using her grandchild as "bait."

Neighbors, including Worcester City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, were on the scene, forming a “human ring” around the mother and children. Her daughters attempted to prevent the agents from taking her by standing in front of the ICE vehicle, according to body camera footage.

After the arrest, an ICE spokesperson labeled Ferreira De Oliveira as a “violent criminal illegal alien” and cited the now-dropped charges in Worcester District Court. Two people were arrested at the scene, including Ferreira De Oliveira’s 16-year-old daughter. Officials later requested that charges be dropped against the teen “given the totality of the circumstances.”

Another Worcester resident was also arrested, but the most serious charge against them was dropped last week. Haxhiaj, the city councilor, was charged with assault weeks after the confrontation and pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery on a police officer and interfering with a police officer.

Public Outcry and Protests

The arrests sparked thousands of people to gather during multiple demonstrations across the city. Dozens of Worcester residents attended a meeting criticizing the city council and police for their handling of the situation.

This incident has raised significant concerns about the intersection of immigration enforcement and local law enforcement, as well as the impact on families and communities. As Ferreira De Oliveira’s legal and immigration cases continue to unfold, the community remains engaged in ongoing discussions about the broader implications of such events.