What began as a chaotic afternoon at a luxury resort pool in central Florida ended with police taking a woman into custody after a 6-year-old boy was allegedly shoved underwater during a confrontation between children.
According to PEOPLE, authorities say the incident unfolded Friday, Dec. 19, at the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Kissimmee.
Deputies with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call reporting a battery involving a child at the resort’s pool area.
Investigators later arrested Tiffany Lee Griffith, 36, in connection with the incident.
According to the sheriff’s office, three children were playing in the pool when what was initially harmless splashing escalated. A witness told police that the splashing became aggressive, prompting Griffith to step into the pool.
Charging documents state that Griffith entered the water “calmly,” walked toward the children, and began splashing water at them. The witness alleged that Griffith then positioned herself behind one of the boys, placed both hands on his shoulders, and “fully submerged” him underwater for two to four seconds.
Afterward, she allegedly splashed water on the child again and exited the pool, according to the affidavit.
The 6-year-old boy reportedly left the pool bleeding from his nose and immediately told his parents what had happened. Deputies allege that Griffith followed the child and began yelling at his mother until another adult intervened and removed Griffith from the area.
The sheriff’s office said Griffith claimed the boy had previously dunked her own son underwater. Her son, who is around the same age, is described by Griffith as nonverbal and autistic. However, investigators noted that security footage reviewed by law enforcement did not show any prior incident involving her child.
According to court records, the surveillance footage matched the witness’s account of Griffith’s actions in the pool.
When questioned by deputies, Griffith told officers she entered the pool to protect her son, stating she believed another child was attempting to drown him. She said she pulled her son out of the water before confronting the other child and his mother.
After being shown the security footage, Griffith allegedly repeated, “I was protecting my son,” according to the affidavit. Authorities say she also expressed remorse during the interview.
It remains unclear whether Griffith’s son was injured during the pool encounter.
Griffith has been charged with aggravated child abuse, listed under cruelty to a child, according to online court records. No plea or attorney information was immediately available.
She was scheduled to make her first court appearance on Monday.
