A DISNEY World visitor has been hit with a child abuse charge after she allegedly assaulted a teen at a parade.
The girl was reportedly left with nail marks on her arm, according to Florida cops.
Orange County Sheriff’s OfficeMartha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri has been hit with a child abuse charge after allegedly shoving a girl at a Disney parade[/caption]
GettyThe alleged altercation happened at a Disney parade[/caption]
The alleged altercation happened on Monday when visitors were trying to watch a parade in Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri, originally from Colombia, is believed to have touched the girl when trying to find a spot to watch the parade, according to an Orange County police report seen by People.
The girl warned Zapata-Echeverri, 51, not to touch her, as reported by the Fox affiliate WOFL-TV.
But, that prompted Zapata-Echeverri to allegedly grab the teenager.
The girl was reportedly left with a bruise and a mark on her right arm, according to cops.
Zapata-Echeverri claimed the teenager had pushed into her space.
She said she had wanted to get closer to her daughter who wanted to watch the parade.
Zapata-Echeverri was probed on the mark on the girl’s arm.
She claimed she had used an open hand.
Zapata-Echeverri touched the girl that would likely cause her to be injured, cops ruled.
But, Orange County cops ruled Zapata-Echeverri touched the girl in a way that was likely going to cause her to get hurt.
Zapata-Echeverri appeared in court on Tuesday and a judge banned from her going to Disney amusement parks.
Her lawyer, Bryan Farinas, told the judge she was in Florida on a tourist visa.
He said the incident had been “mischaracterized.”
“We are confident that once all the facts have been fully evaluated, it will be clear that there was no criminal intent and no abusive conduct by Ms. Zapata Echeverri,” Farinas said.
A Walt Disney World spokesperson has not commented on the incident.
Disney World’s Magic Kingdom opened its doors in 1971.
More than 48,000 people visit the Magic Kingdom park on average every day.
The park is home to popular rides such as the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, and Dumbo The Flying Elephant.
There are more than 20 rides in Magic Kingdom.
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