Peoria, Arizona – Brandie Gotch, a 31-year-old mother, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of aggravated assault stemming from a violent incident at a Peoria park in February 2024. The sentencing was announced by Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell on Saturday, June 14.
The incident occurred at Westgreen Park on February 27, 2024, when Gotch drove her Chevy Silverado through the park and ran over a 12-year-old girl’s leg.
The attack followed a confrontation between Gotch’s children and other kids at the park, which escalated into a violent altercation.
Thankfully, the worst injury suffered by the girl was a sprained ankle, along with some bruises and scrapes, though the situation could have been far more tragic, according to Mitchell.
Details of the Incident
Gotch went to the park around 4 p.m. local time to pick up her children after they had gotten into a fight with each other. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) reported that other kids at the park were allegedly “egging them on” and recording the fight.
At one point, a boy on the playground reportedly called Gotch a name as she walked her kids back to the truck. According to MCAO, Gotch responded by pulling the boy by his hair and chasing another boy around the park with a stick after he also insulted her.
Court documents cited by The Arizona Republic stated that Gotch allegedly shouted, “I am going to kill you and run you over” while chasing the 14-year-old boy with a stick. After the confrontation, Gotch got into her truck with her children.
A second boy, who had mocked her, stood behind the vehicle. Gotch then backed up the truck, revved the engine, and drove directly at the boy. While he managed to jump out of the way, Gotch ran over his sister’s leg with her truck.
Aftermath and Police Investigation
Following the incident, Gotch drove through the park, where over a dozen children were present. Some of the children had to run to avoid being hit by the truck.
When Gotch spoke with police after the incident, she claimed the preteens had thrown wood chips at her children and that one of the kids had punched her 10-year-old daughter.
Gotch said she “hoped she didn’t” run over the girl’s leg, but still expressed frustration about the children calling her names.
Gotch was arrested at her home after leaving the park. Initially, she was booked on six counts of endangerment, four counts of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of attempted first-degree murder. She was held on $250,000 cash bond.
Sentencing and Legal Statement
At her sentencing, Gotch pleaded guilty to the charges of aggravated assault. In her statement, Rachel Mitchell condemned Gotch’s actions, emphasizing that adults are responsible for managing their anger and should never take out their frustrations on children.
Mitchell wrote, “Even when angry or frustrated, it’s up to adults to act like adults. It is never okay to take our rage out on a kid.”
The tragic incident has drawn attention to the dangers of unrestrained rage, especially involving children, and has raised concerns about the responsibility of adults in managing confrontations with minors.
The victim, a young girl, is now recovering under the care of her family, and Gotch’s sentence reflects the severity of the crime committed.