Captured Confrontation: Video Evidence Supports Abell Woman’s Assault Conviction

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Mayilla Bonilla-Lopez, 32, of Abell, was convicted on Nov. 14, 2025, of two counts of second-degree assault stemming from an incident reported on July 14, 2025. According to police records, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Abell for a reported domestic disturbance involving Bonilla-Lopez and two victims.

Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the involved parties. According to court documents, Bonilla-Lopez allegedly assaulted the victim during a custody exchange when he arrived to pick up their child. Witnesses reported that Bonilla-Lopez attempted to pull the child from the victim’s arms, stating she allegedly had “a death grip” on the child and was forcibly pulling him by the arm and leg. According to the witness statement, when the victim tried to leave the property, Bonilla-Lopez allegedly climbed onto the hood of his vehicle to prevent him from driving away, claiming she caused damage to the vehicle.

Police reports indicate that the adult victim displayed no visible injuries related to the altercation. Deputies noted the child had red marks on his side and back but did not require medical attention. Bonilla-Lopez allegedly had red marks and scratches on her neck, chest, and left knee and declined medical treatment.

According to court documents, both adults reportedly recorded portions of the confrontation on their cellphones. Deputies reviewed the video footage, which allegedly showed Bonilla-Lopez pulling the child from the victim. Another portion of the video, as described in court documents, reportedly showed Bonilla-Lopez laying on the hood of the vehicle while the victim threw her phone toward her. Bonilla-Lopez was arrested without further incident and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Following the guilty verdict, Judge Karen Christy Holt Chesser sentenced her to 180 days in jail on each count, with a total of 30 days to serve and the remainder of the time suspended, and placed her on two years of supervised probation.

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