SALINAS, Calif. (KSBW) – A Christmas Day custody exchange between two parents turned violent after police said the child's father got into an argument with his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend.
“It started as a child exchange and turned out to be attempted murder,” said the Salinas police commander. Luis Bravo.
Salinas police say the two parents met in the parking lot of Natividad Medical Center on Christmas Eve to conduct the child exchange when the father and friend began arguing.
“Unfortunately, both parties did not understand each other. A verbal altercation ensued and then one of the people involved was stabbed,” Bravo said.
Police said the friend was allegedly stabbed by the toddler's father, Gabriel Gallegos, and then went to the hospital to get medical attention.
“I believe one stab wound to the stomach and one to the forearm, luckily they were in the hospital parking lot so the victim ended up going to the emergency room where his wounds were treated,” Bravo said.
The stab wounds were not life-threatening, but Gallegos, 27, was arrested on charges of attempted murder and child cruelty. Gallegos is being held on $1 million bail.
Police said the incident serves as a reminder that the Salinas Police Department is a designated safe zone for child exchanges and anyone seeking to make a sales transaction.
There are designated parking spaces and surveillance cameras on the station premises.
“We have these two places behind me, we also have 24 hour surveillance monitored by the duty watch commander and on top of that there is 24 hour recording so it is a good and safe environment for people to be in can meet each other,” Bravo said.
Police recommend taking special precautions when exchanging or purchasing custody; Stay away from secluded places and meet in a public place. If it's nighttime, make sure you have good lighting, bring a friend, and always be aware of your surroundings.
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