Category: Florida woman
Kids were ‘playing’ at a luxury resort pool. It all ended with Florida woman arrested, charged with aggravated child abuse.
A Florida woman found herself in handcuffs in what was supposed to be a fun family vacation at a luxury resort after she became physical with a 6-year-old boy at a pool, according to police.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that deputies responded to a report of a battery involving a child around 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Gaylord Palms Hotel — a four-star resort in Kissimmee.
“Witnesses reported that three children were playing in the pool when the splashing became aggressive,” the statement reads.
Police said 36-year-old Tiffany Lee Griffith of Fort Myers “entered the pool and yelled at a 6-year-old boy after he allegedly dunked her 6-year-old son underwater.”
The sheriff’s office claimed Griffith “placed her hands on the victim’s shoulders and forcibly dunked him underwater for several seconds.”
The alleged victim rushed out of the resort pool “visibly upset and suffering from a nosebleed.” The child reported the alleged incident to his parents, according to police.
Griffith then began yelling at the mother of the alleged victim before leaving the area, police said. Deputies located and arrested Griffith.
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The Osceola News-Gazette obtained the police report which stated, “After Tiffany was placed under arrest, she made spontaneous statements expressing remorse for what had occurred.”
The police report added, “It should also be noted that alcohol was believed to be a possible factor in this incident, according to hotel security.”
During her arrest, Griffith allegedly “understood and agreed to her [Miranda] rights. … She further stated she could recite them due to being a former law enforcement officer.”
Griffith was taken to the Osceola County Jail, and she was charged with aggravated child abuse.
According to the affidavit obtained by People magazine, Griffith told investigators she entered the pool to protect her child; she claimed he’s nonverbal and has autism.
“I was protecting my son,” Griffith told deputies, according to the affidavit.
Griffith told police she feared her son would be “drowned” by the other child, the affidavit said.
According to the affidavit, investigators said they reviewed security footage at the resort, and it matched a witness’ account of the incident.
During Griffith’s first court appearance Monday, a judge found probable cause and ordered her held without bond, according to WINK-TV. The judge also ordered Griffith to have no contact with the child or the child’s family.
The Gaylord Palms Hotel did not immediately respond to Blaze News‘ request for comment.
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Florida teacher arrested, hit with charges of indecent liberties with a minor from another state
A former teacher was arrested in Florida for alleged child sex crimes committed in another state.
Jordan Kacie Hawk, 26, was arrested Tuesday.
‘The incidents took place earlier this year when Ms. Hawk was teaching at a local school and involved a juvenile student.’
WPLG-TV reported that Hawk was “wanted by police in the Charlotte suburb of Kannapolis, North Carolina.”
The arrest report said Hawk had an active warrant from the Kannapolis Police Department since Oct. 17.
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation records show Hawk is being detained for a fugitive warrant and awaiting extradition out of state.
The Kannapolis Police Department in North Carolina told Blaze News that Hawk was charged with four counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor.
“The incidents took place earlier this year when Ms. Hawk was teaching at a local school and involved a juvenile student,” police in North Carolina stated.
N.C. police said Hawk is “expected to be extradited to North Carolina and taken into custody by the Kannapolis Police Department.”
WPLG reported that Hawk “indicated that she wanted to waive extradition proceedings to North Carolina” during a court appearance Wednesday.
RELATED: Female ex-teacher, cheerleading coach indicted, accused of sexual misconduct with student
Hawk reportedly lost her job at a Florida elementary school.
Citing a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest report, WPLG reported that Hawk was listed as a social studies teacher at Miami Lakes K-8 Center.
A spokesperson for Miami-Dade County Public Schools told WTVJ-TV that it was “aware of the arrest of a Miami Lakes K-8 Center employee for an alleged incident that occurred out of state.”
“M-DCPS is cooperating with authorities involved in this matter,” the school district spokesperson added. “The individual’s employment has been terminated and will be prohibited from future employment with this district.”
Authorities in North Carolina have 30 days to pick up Hawk, or else she will be released from jail in Miami, according to WTVJ.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Blaze News.
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