In a significant judicial development, a Belize City mother has been fully acquitted of cyberbullying allegations following a protracted legal battle that captured national attention. Nichole Gilda McDonald, a 37-year-old matron and mother of five, faced charges under the Cyber Crime Act earlier this year after former Police Commissioner Chester Williams filed an official complaint.
The case originated in March 2025 when McDonald was accused of utilizing computer systems to disseminate allegedly false statements intended to damage the Commissioner’s reputation. Following her arrest, she endured four days in detention under conditions she described as harsh, including denial of medication, food, and water. Despite appearing in court without legal representation initially, McDonald maintained her innocence throughout seventeen court appearances.
McDonald explained that her online comments referenced statements made by her political party leader regarding Belize’s status as a narco state, asserting she never intended to cause harm. The controversy emerged amid discussions concerning the tragic killing of Geion Gomez, a disabled youth McDonald had been helping to walk through her work with the Youth Cadet Corps and Department of Youth Services.
Following her acquittal, McDonald visited media offices to detail her experience, emphasizing the profound personal and financial consequences of the case. She reported losing her employment, depleting her savings, and having to postpone necessary surgical treatment due to the legal proceedings. McDonald now plans to pursue justice for what she describes as violations of her constitutional rights throughout the process.