A Palmdale mother arrested in Canyon Country on suspicion that, while driving with her kids in the car, she crashed into another car on purpose, is due back in court later this month for a hearing on her mental competency, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court online records.
Deputies arrested Sandra Rivota, 38, on the 27500 block of Deeptree Avenue, after they suspected her of intentionally driving into a man’s car that was parked in his driveway, causing damage, according to Shirley Miller, who was spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Station at the time of the crash.
“The suspect’s three children, ages 4, 6 and 11, were passengers in her vehicle,” Miller said at the time. “The children were released to the custody of a (Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services) social worker.”
Rivota’s case is currently in Department 95, which means, “A doubt was declared and the criminal proceedings have been halted pending the outcome in mental health court,” according to an email Monday from Ricardo Santiago, spokesman for the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office.
Rivota ultimately was charged with one misdemeanor count each of vandalism of a vehicle (a BMW) and hit-and-run driving resulting in property damage in connection with that allegation.
The next hearing in the proceedings is set for Oct. 29.
Rivota has a separate case pending prosecution in the Lancaster court, regarding one misdemeanor count of “PC 602(o), (trespass and refusing to leave private property),” in connection with a Sept. 5 incident.
She pleaded not guilty Sept. 9, and is scheduled to return for a pretrial hearing in the Antelope Valley in November, according to Santiago.
