Latest news with #MarthaLuciaZapata-Echeverri
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Disney World tourist charged with child abuse after trying to get better view at parade
Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri, 51, is alleged to have left 'nail marks' on a 17-year-old girl's arm. A visitor to Disney World in Florida has been charged with child abuse after allegedly assaulting a teenager at the theme park. The alleged altercation is said to have happened on Monday during a parade at Disney's Magic Kingdom. According to an Orange County Sheriff's Office police report, Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri is believed to have come into contact with the teenage girl when trying to get a better spot to view the parade. As per the documents seen by People, local police have said the 17-year-old girl was left with nail marks on her arm. Authorities are said to have 'separated' the two parties involved in the 'altercation', which took place at around 9.40pm. Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri. News in 90 Seconds - July 24th The teen told police that she had been standing on Main Street in the theme park as she was preparing to take in the evening's parade. Zapata-Echeverri, 51, allegedly 'put her hand' on the teenager in an attempt to 'make space'. The teen then told Zapata-Echeverri to 'not touch her' in Spanish. Soon after, it has been alleged that the 51-year-old, who was born in Colombia but resides in Spain, then 'grabbed [the teen] by the arm and pulled her to the side, causing a bruise and abrasion on her right arm'. The suspect told authorities that she was following behind her daughter in order to get to the front of the parade crowd. She claims that it was the teen who was the one who pushed her. The police's arrest affidavit also notes 'nail marks' were found on the 17-year-old's arm. Local authorities say the teen was the only one to sustain injuries. Additionally, there were no independent witnesses or surveillance footage of the alleged incident. According to local Florida TV station WESH, Zapata-Echeverri arrived in the US on a tourist visa on July 2 before then appearing in court on Tuesday of this week. She had been set to return to Spain on Wednesday, her attorney stated. Her lawyer also stated that the alleged incident has been 'mischaracterised', before adding: '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.' The judge reduced her bail to $2,500 and ordered the woman not to return to any Disney property.
New York Post
5 days ago
- New York Post
Tourist charged with child abuse after manhandling teen to get better parade spot at Disney World
A tourist has been charged with child abuse for allegedly manhandling a teen to get a better view of a parade at Walt Disney World. Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri, 51, allegedly grabbed a 17-year-old girl and left nail marks on her during Monday's brawl at Disney's Magic Kingdom, according to an Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. The accuser told deputies she was 'standing on the sidewalk of 'Main Street' in front of the castle preparing to watch the parade.' Zapata-Echeverri — a Colombian who now lives in Spain — then allegedly 'put her hand on [the teen] 'trying to make space,'' just for the girl to ask her in Spanish 'not to touch her,' the affidavit continues. Tourist Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri was arrested after allegedly fighting a teen at Walt Disney World. Orange County Sheriff's Office Instead, Zapata-Echeverri 'grabbed [the teen] by the arm and pulled her to the side, causing a bruise and abrasion on her right arm,' according to the affidavit. The tourist — who was with her daughter — blamed the teen for starting the fight by pushing into her and saying it was 'her spot' as they all tried to get good spots for the parade. She was unable to explain how the teen had 'nail marks,' the affidavit said, saying the suspect instead 'just pantomimed her 'pushing.'' The fight reportedly broke out over getting a better spot at the Disney parade. satur73 – Zapata Echeverri was uninjured in the incident at around 9:40 p.m., which ended with deputies separating the pair. So far, no video of the fight has been found, the affidavit said. Zapata-Echeverri arrived in the US on a tourist visa on July 2 and was scheduled to fly back to Spain on Wednesday, her attorney told a judge during her court appearance on Tuesday, WESH reported. Her bond was reduced to $2,500 and she was banned from Disney properties, WESH reported. Walt Disney World did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Disney visitor charged with child abuse after ‘shoving teen to get better parade view' leaving her with ‘nail marks'
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. Advertisement 2 Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri has been hit with a child abuse charge after allegedly shoving a girl at a Disney parade Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Office 2 The alleged altercation happened at a Disney parade Credit: Getty 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 But, that prompted Zapata-Echeverri to allegedly grab the teenager. Advertisement read more on news 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. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Latest Exclusive 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement
NDTV
6 days ago
- NDTV
Tourist Grabs Teen, Leaves "Nail Marks" For Spot At Disney Parade
A tourist from Spain has been detained and charged with child abuse after allegedly hurting a 17-year-old girl during a packed evening parade at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri, 51, was taken into custody by the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) on Monday for the offence of child abuse at Disney's Magic Kingdom in Bay Lake, Florida. At around 9:40 pm on July 21, park visitors gathered along Main Street USA close to Cinderella Castle when deputies were called to break up an "altercation" between the teenager and Zapata-Echeverri. Zapata-Echeverri allegedly grabbed the girl's arm during the fight, shortly before the amusement park's nightly parade started. The 17-year-old explained that she was standing quietly in her designated spot when Zapata-Echeverri put her hand on the teen's elbow, allegedly to provide more space, and told her in Spanish not to touch her. The tourist allegedly grabbed the teen's arm and yanked her away shortly after, leaving her visible bruises and "nail marks." According to the affidavit, the youngster was the only person hurt in the encounter, and deputies reported a "small abrasion and bruise." Authorities claimed neither security footage nor independent witnesses observed the altercation, which took place in a public area where sizable crowds were assembling before the parade. Suspect Zapata-Echeverri, who was born in Colombia but currently resides in Spain, admitted to deputies that she was trailing her daughter to watch the parade from the front of the crowd. Inconsistently, she claimed the girl had pushed her first, saying it was "her spot." However, she was unable to provide a clear explanation for how the victim got the "nail marks" and instead "pantomimed" the teenager who had pushed her. The case is primarily based on the teen's account and the visible injuries to her arm because no other witnesses or CCTV footage prove the encounter. Zapata-Echeverri was taken into custody and charged with child abuse. She was later released from the Orange County jail after posting a $2,500 (approximately Rs 2 lakh) bond. Her attorney confirmed she arrived in Central Florida on a tourist visa on July 2 and appeared in court on July 22. Zapata-Echeverri was expected to leave Florida on July 23, per WESH.
