¶ Overview
- In 2021, De La Cruz’s ex-husband accused her of “cruel and aggressive conduct” toward his 14-year-old daughter. De La Cruz’s ex-husband, requested a restraining order against her citing mistreatment of his daughter, who faced mental health problems. Hernandez claimed De La Cruz threatened to divorce him if he brought his child back home after she was hospitalized.
- In 2022, a judge ruled De La Cruz was prohibited from returning home until after her congressional primary. De La Cruz denied the abuse accusations.
¶ De La Cruz Faced Child Abuse Allegations From Her Ex-Husband
¶ 2021: De la cruz’s ex-husband accused her of “cruel and aggressive conduct” to his 14-year-old daughter
November 2021: De La Cruz, Who Was Picked By House Republican Leadership As A “Young Gun” Candidate, Was Accused Of “Cruel And Aggressive Conduct” Toward Her Stepdaughter. According to the Washington Post, "A star Republican congressional candidate in Texas was accused last month by her estranged husband in court documents of ‘cruel and aggressive conduct’ toward his 14-year-old daughter, including verbal abuse and pinching the child to stop her from crying. Monica De La Cruz, a candidate for the 15th Congressional District in Texas, was picked this week by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as a ‘young gun,’ a designation given by the party to candidates who ‘have met a series of rigorous goals and surpassed program benchmarks to establish a clear path to victory.’" [Washington Post, 11/9/21]
In Court Documents Obtained By The Washington Post, Hernandez Accused De La Cruz Of Physically Pinching His Daughter And Verbally Assaulting Her. According to the Washington Post, "Hernandez, who has been married to De La Cruz since 2015, has accused her of mistreating him and his daughter in documents filed in the Hidalgo County District Court. In one incident described in the petition for divorce, Hernandez says that on a recent Sunday at church, his daughter began crying after some coffee was spilled. He alleges that De La Cruz took her to the bathroom and pinched her to stop her from crying, rather than try to console her. Hernandez also claimed in a court document that De La Cruz was verbally abusive to his daughter." [Washington Post, 11/9/21]
HEADLINE: “Donald Trump Endorses RGV Congressional Candidate Accused Of Abuse” [Valley Central, 2/17/22]
HEADLINE: “Texas GOP’s Rising ‘Young Gun’ Accused Of ‘Cruel And Aggressive Conduct’ Toward Child” [Newsweek, 11/9/21]
¶ Johnny Hernandez, De La Cruz’s Ex-Husband, Requested A Restraining Order Against Her Citing Mistreatment Of His Daughter, Who Faced Mental Health Problems
November 2021: De La Cruz Announced Her Divorce From Johnny Hernandez On Twitter, Citing Mental Health Issues In The Family. According to a post on Monica De La Cruz’s Twitter, "It saddens me to inform that Johnny and I are in the midst of the divorce process. This is not what anyone wants or expects when getting married but we believe this is the best decision. We are dealing with some mental health issues in our family & would appreciate your prayers."
[Twitter, @monica4congress, 11/2/21]
Hernandez Requested A Restraining Order From De La Cruz In His Divorce Petition. According to People, "In his divorce petition, Hernandez requested a restraining order against De La Cruz, but sought to remain in the couple's home with his daughter." [People, 1/14/22]
Hernandez Claimed De La Cruz Threatened To Divorce Him If He Brought His Child Back Home After She Was Hospitalized. According to the Washington Post, "He said that in August, De La Cruz said she would divorce him if he brought the child, who has at times been hospitalized, back to live at their home. ‘Unfortunately, it got to that point where I had to make a decision for the best sake of my daughter,’ Hernandez said in an interview Tuesday. ‘She didn’t want to go to parenting classes, and she didn’t want to make things better for my daughter.’" [Washington Post, 11/9/21]
11/9/21: De La Cruz Claimed The Accusations Against Her Were False And Asked For Prayers. According to the Washington Post, "De La Cruz said in a statement to The Washington Post that the accusations are ‘false, and I’m heartbroken that as we work through some mental health issues that involve a minor this deeply personal matter is now being exposed in the national press. My number one concern will always be the well-being of all of my children, and I would appreciate your prayers and continue to ask for privacy for our family.’" [Washington Post, 11/9/21]
¶ 2022: A Judge Ruled De La Cruz Could Not Return To Her Family Home Until After Her Congressional Primary
January 2022: A Texas Judge Ruled De La Cruz Was Prohibited From Returning To Her Family Home Until After The March 1, 2022 Primary. According to the Washington Post, "A Texas judge ruled Wednesday that a top Republican congressional recruit must continue living away from her family home until after the March 1 primary, following a contentious court hearing with her estranged husband." [Washington Post, 1/12/22]