Police: Elgin Mom Arrested for Encouraging Daughter to Fight

While most parents would punish their teen for fighting, an Elgin mom has been accused of encouraging her 16-year-old daughter to fight another girl, going so far as to drive her to a park to do just that, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Anita R. Joost allegedly drove her daughter to a park for a fight, telling the girl to “kick her ass.” Joost has been charged with aggravated battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

On April 2, 46-year-old Joost’s daughter was involved in a disagreement with a 15-year-old-girl and suggested that they have a fight at a local park. According to police, Joost drove the girl and two of her friends to the park to fight the other girl. Arriving at the park, Joost reportedly told her daughter to “kick her ass” then screamed the same thing out the window.

When the teens met they began discussing their problems, rather than fighting. Apparently, Joost didn’t agree with this line of action, as she’s accused of calling one of her daughter’s friends and telling her, “Enough’s enough, either kick her ass or let’s go home.”

Spurred on by Joost’s taunting, Joost’s daughter allegedly tried to fight the girl, but the girl refused to fight back. The daughter then began beating the girl, while one of her friends recorded the incident with her camera phone, according to police.

After the beating, Joost reportedly drove her daughter to the house of a different girl and encouraged her to fight that girl as well. Joost drove off after the homeowners ordered her to leave.

After viewing videos of the incident, police charged Joost with aggravated battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Under Illinois law, any person who knowingly aids or encourages a minor to be a delinquent is guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A delinquent child is a minor who has violated or attempted to violate the law. The offense is a Class A misdemeanor.

On Thursday, a judge ordered Anita R. Joost held in lieu of $50,000 bail. Joost’s daughter has also been charged with aggravated battery and has been taken to Kane County Youth Home pending a juvenile court date.

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