Man arrested for attacking woman during custody exchange in the parking lot of a Coral Springs Wawa
Coral Springs, Florida – A man was arrested after allegedly assaulting the mother of his child during a custody exchange at a Wawa in Coral Springs, a confrontation that resulted in both parties involved physically fighting in the parking lot.
According to the police report, officers were called to the Wawa located at 7305 West Sample Road around 5:55 p.m. on May 21, following reports of a disturbance. When they arrived at the scene, they found both 33-year-old Andre Henry and the woman, identified as the mother of his 3-year-old son, out of breath but separated from one another.
The woman told authorities that she had made arrangements to meet Henry at the Wawa for a scheduled custody exchange involving their child. However, prior to the incident, the two had been arguing over the phone, a tension that would escalate once they arrived at the parking lot. According to the woman’s statement, Henry arrived unexpectedly, opened her car door without her consent, and began physically assaulting her by punching her.
The altercation quickly intensified, with both individuals ending up on the ground engaged in a physical struggle. As the situation escalated, a Wawa employee came forward with surveillance footage that corroborated the woman’s version of events. The video showed Henry opening the car door and striking her, followed by both parties falling to the ground during the confrontation.
In contrast, Henry told police that he had come to the Wawa to retrieve his son and claimed that the woman had initiated the attack. He admitted to striking her but insisted that she had struck him first and stressed that he “doesn’t normally hit women.”
During the arrest process, officers discovered that Henry had an active warrant for a suspended driver’s license out of Broward County. As a result, Henry is now facing charges of burglary with assault or battery, as well as a misdemeanor warrant for driving with a suspended license.
The confrontation, which took place in a public space, has raised concerns about the safety of child custody exchanges, particularly when tensions between parents are high. Custody exchanges are often the most emotionally charged moments for separated or divorced parents, and incidents like this highlight the potential for dangerous outcomes when emotions boil over.
After his arrest, Henry was taken to the Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail, where he will await further proceedings.
This incident underscores the importance of ensuring safety and maintaining order during child custody exchanges. In some cases, law enforcement or neutral third-party supervision may be necessary to prevent further escalation and protect everyone involved, especially children who may be witnessing these conflicts.
The ongoing legal proceedings will determine the future of the charges against Henry, but in the meantime, the case has sparked a conversation about the need for better safeguards in situations that involve high emotional stakes, particularly for families navigating child custody arrangements.
