MANHATTAN — The notorious Upper East Side “spitting lady” was arrested alongside her son early Thursday morning after hocking on a child three separate times since June, according to police.
Hilda Barrionuevo, 65, was picked up at 4:35 a.m. in front of 328 E. 78th St. and charged with acting in a way that is injurious to a child, two counts of harassment, and stalking, an NYPD spokesman said.
Barrionuevo screamed and spit on a 7-year-old in June and December last year, and again on Jan. 7 this year in front of a 1445 Third Ave. Citibank, according to a criminal complaint.
The child "does not want to leave his home because he fears seeing the defendant and being attacked by the defendant and spit upon," the complaint reads. "The...child runs away from the defendant in fear when he encounters her in the street."
Nick Goodman, who started a Facebook forum to alert neighbors of Barrionuevo's whereabouts, told DNAinfo New York this week that she spit on his son three times and that the family was essentially "being held hostage" in their own neighborhood.
"She yells at people, including my child, and now he never wants to walk around the neighborhood because he's afraid she’s going to attack him," he said. "My son thinks she knows him. My wife and I are not able to go about our lives."
Hundreds of Upper East Siders signed a petition demanding local leaders and Mayor Bill de Blasio do something about Barrionuevo.
"This woman is not only a nuisance, but she is a threat as she is assaulting people vilely with saliva," the petition reads. "She mainly spits on children, while also hissing and yelling at them. The community is tired of nothing being done."
Barrionuevo was released with supervision and due back in court on April 24. Her attorney did not immediately return a call for comment on Friday.
Barrionuevo had $19,122 in cash when she was arrested, the New York Post reported. Police could not confirm that information.
Her son, Gabriel Uno, 44, was arrested along with her for throwing a metal table at someone and repeatedly yelled, “Get the f--k out of here!” on March 18, according to police.
He was charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon at his arraignment, where his bail was set at $2,500 cash or bond.
He's currently being held at the Manhattan Detention Complex and has a temporary order of protection against him. He's due back in court on April 4, according to court records.
Uno has several prior arrests for grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.
His attorney did not immediately return a call for comment on Friday.
