Mom, girlfriend of Rutgers star Leonte Carroo charged with assault

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The mother and girlfriend of Rutgers football star Leonte Carroo face charges stemming from a fight that led to his suspension from the team.

Police have charged 41-year-old Lavern Carroo of Edison, 20-year-old Maria Vega of Fort Lee and Vega's 52-year-old father, Juan, with simple assault and disorderly conduct.

It's unclear if they have lawyers who can comment on the charges.

Leonte Carroo has pleaded not guilty to a domestic violence-related assault charge. Authorities say he slammed a woman he once dated onto concrete after a football game Sept. 12 in Piscataway.

The woman received injuries on her hip, hands, elbow and head.

Carroo, who is 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, was suspended indefinitely from the football team but remains a student at Rutgers. He is scheduled to appear in Piscataway Municipal Court on Oct. 1.

The arrest of the senior captain came after six current and three former Rutgers players were charged with a series of violent crimes.

The team's coach, Kyle Flood, also was suspended for three games and fined $50,000 for improperly contacting an instructor regarding a grade of one of the players.