Dad faces multiple felonies; assaulted mom, abducted children during visitation (Hudson, Wisconsin)

Once again, we have an abusive father, ROCCO DIVERARDINO, who was granted visitation despite the mother's order of protection. And once again, we have a father who exploited his visitation to assault the mother and abduct the children. When will the courts ever learn. No negotiations, no concessions for terrorists and criminals.

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_16129402

Hudson's first Amber Alert leads to dad who fled with sons
City's first Amber Alert led to motel
By Andy Rathbun
arathbun@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 09/20/2010 11:06:29 PM CDT

A Hudson, Wis., man faces several charges after he allegedly attacked his wife last week and then went missing with their two children, prompting an Amber Alert.

Rocco Diberardino, 45, was charged Friday in St. Croix County Circuit Court with false imprisonment, possession of a firearm contrary to an injunction, and interference of child custody as a parent — all felonies. He also faces misdemeanor charges of battery and the violation of a domestic abuse injunction.

Diberardino's wife, Kelly Diberardino, told police he appeared at her Hudson home Thursday without her consent, the criminal complaint states. She said Diberardino pulled her hair, pushed her to the floor and then sat on top of her, preventing her from leaving.

She later escaped and alerted police.

The couple's two boys, ages 10 and 12, were scheduled to be with their father that day, and responding officers learned the boys were not in school. Kelly Diberardino said she believed her husband had taken them somewhere, according to the complaint.

An Amber Alert was issued for the children, and Diberardino was spotted shortly after driving in Hastings. Police stopped Diberardino and learned the children were in a motel in Stillwater, said Hudson police Lt. Paul Larson.

The children were found at the motel about 4 p.m., according to the complaint.

After his arrest, Diberardino told investigators he had gone to his wife's home at 7 a.m. with plans to "kill himself in front of her due to all the pain she had caused him," the complaint states. He told investigators he surprised his wife in the house, pulled on her hair and held her to the floor so she couldn't leave.

Diberardino told police there was a handgun in the home, which he kept for protection, according to the complaint. His wife handed a loaded .40 caliber Beretta over to officers.

A temporary restraining order granted earlier this month ordered Diberardino to avoid premises occupied by his wife, court records show. She filed for divorce in August.

Diberardino was in custody Monday on a $100,000 cash bond. If convicted of the most serious charge — interfering with child custody — he could face a maximum sentence of 12 1/2 years in prison.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Larson said this incident was first time Hudson police had initiated the Amber Alert system.

Andy Rathbun can be reached at 651-228-2121.