Latest news with #OrangeCountySheriff
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Disney mom faces child abuse charge after she allegedly grabbed a teen in a fight as crowd gathered to watch Magic Kingdom parade
A tourist visiting Disney World faces a child abuse charge after grabbing a teen girl as crowds gathered to watch the parade in Magic Kingdom - in a move that allegedly left nail marks on the victim. Martha Zapata-Echeverri, 51, from Kissimmee, Florida, was arrested on a charge of child abuse after the altercation broke out at Disney's Magic Kingdom on Monday night, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. Zapata-Echeverri allegedly grabbed a 17-year-old girl during a confrontation on Main Street U.S.A. in front of Cinderella's Castle, just before the amusement park's nightly parade was set to begin, Fox 35 reported. The teen sustained a bruise and abrasion on her arm after she was pulled aside by Zapata-Echeverri, authorities said. Authorities said there were no independent witnesses who saw the fight, or surveillance footage of the incident, which happened in a densely crowded area where large groups were gathering ahead of the parade. It was not immediately clear what kind of argument the teen and Zapata-Echeverri had leading up to the physical contact. Each gave a statement to authorities. The teen told authorities that the fight broke out when Zapata-Echeverri placed a hand on her in an attempt to make space in a crowded area. When the teen asked her to not touch her, Zapata-Echeverri allegedly grabbed her arm and pulled her aside. The altercation resulted in visible injuries on the teen, according to authorities. In Zapata-Echeverri's retelling of events, she said she was following her daughter to the parade route when the teen started pushing into her and claiming the space was hers. Zapata-Echeverri then demonstrated for police how she pushed the girl back with her left arm. When authorities asked how the teen sustained nail marks on her arm, Zapata-Echeverri gave an unclear response and gestured that she had used an open hand. In an arrest report, deputies wrote that Zapata-Echeverri 'knowingly and willfully' touched the girl in a way that was likely to cause injury.
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Disney mom faces child abuse charge after she allegedly grabbed a teen in a fight as crowd gathered to watch Magic Kingdom parade
A tourist visiting Disney World faces a child abuse charge after grabbing a teen girl as crowds gathered to watch the parade in Magic Kingdom - in a move that allegedly left nail marks on the victim. Martha Zapata-Echeverri, 51, from Kissimmee, Florida, was arrested on a charge of child abuse after the altercation broke out at Disney's Magic Kingdom on Monday night, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. Zapata-Echeverri allegedly grabbed a 17-year-old girl during a confrontation on Main Street U.S.A. in front of Cinderella's Castle, just before the amusement park's nightly parade was set to begin, Fox 35 reported. The teen sustained a bruise and abrasion on her arm after she was pulled aside by Zapata-Echeverri, authorities said. Authorities said there were no independent witnesses who saw the fight, or surveillance footage of the incident, which happened in a densely crowded area where large groups were gathering ahead of the parade. It was not immediately clear what kind of argument the teen and Zapata-Echeverri had leading up to the physical contact. Each gave a statement to authorities. The teen told authorities that the fight broke out when Zapata-Echeverri placed a hand on her in an attempt to make space in a crowded area. When the teen asked her to not touch her, Zapata-Echeverri allegedly grabbed her arm and pulled her aside. The altercation resulted in visible injuries on the teen, according to authorities. In Zapata-Echeverri's retelling of events, she said she was following her daughter to the parade route when the teen started pushing into her and claiming the space was hers. Zapata-Echeverri then demonstrated for police how she pushed the girl back with her left arm. When authorities asked how the teen sustained nail marks on her arm, Zapata-Echeverri gave an unclear response and gestured that she had used an open hand. In an arrest report, deputies wrote that Zapata-Echeverri 'knowingly and willfully' touched the girl in a way that was likely to cause injury.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Yahoo
'I hope they find peace': Community mourns loss of 19-year-old found dead in Apopka
A family is waiting for answers from investigators. They say they have no idea what happened to their son, who was found dead near their home in South Apopka. 'It's just been quiet. Nobody saw it coming. So, it's kind of unfortunate because they are good people,' said a neighbor who prefers not to share her name. The woman, who lives across the street from where the incident unfolded, has been in the neighborhood for a few years now, and told Channel 9 she knew the family involved in the tragedy. 'It's very hard, because I do have a son. And that's not easy to handle. I personally don't know what I would do in that spot,' the neighbor said. 'They don't deserve to be in this situation.' On Sunday, just around 3:30 a.m., investigators were called to the intersection of East Ella Gilmore Street and Clarcona Road. The area was surrounded by several deputy vehicles for hours. A Channel 9 crew was there as forensics arrived at the scene. At the location, investigators found 'a man with obvious signs of trauma,' a press release issued by the Orange County Sheriff's Office read. The man was later identified as 19-year-old Kelan J'Juan Rodriguez. On Wednesday, the teen's mother told Channel 9 she hasn't even seen her son's body yet, and her family is still trying to process what happened to them. 'There's violence everywhere now. It's kind of scary. I hope they find peace,' said the neighbor. 'I'm just trying to give her [the teen's mother] time, give her space. I know it's a very hard situation. I'm a mom too. And i know that's super hard so i don't wish up upon nobody. The Orange County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the case, and so far, there is no word on any arrests. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man with schizophrenia shot and killed by Orange County deputy: Officials
The Brief A man with schizophrenia was shot and killed by an Orange County deputy on Saturday. Officials said the man was not taking his medications, acted irrationally and attacked law enforcement with a knife. One deputy was taken to the hospital but is expected to recover. They are now on paid administrative leave. ORLANDO, Fla. - A man with schizophrenia was shot and killed by an Orange County deputy on Saturday after the man allegedly acted irrationally and attacked law enforcement officers with a knife. What we know Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) responded to reports of a schizophrenic man who was not taking his medications around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday in the area of North Ormond Drive. The man was allegedly acting erratically and breaking plates in the street. Officials met up with the man's father, who said his adult son was in one of the bedrooms and had a knife. Deputies say they were in the hallway for about five minutes trying to speak with the man. The man then exited the bedroom with a knife and tried to stab a deputy, before then attempting to grab his gun and stab him again. The man was shot several times by a deputy and then taken to the hospital, where he later died. The deputy was also taken to the hospital and treated for several lacerations to the back of his head. Officials said the lacerations were due to the deputy falling and hitting his head on the faucet of a bathtub when the man attempted to stab him. The deputy is expected to recover and is now on paid administrative leave. What we don't know Authorities have not yet released the identity of the man who was shot and killed or the identity of the deputy. What they're saying "This just shows our community what the deputies deal with on an every day basis," Orange County Sheriff John Mina said. "In my experience, people are more willing today to use violence against the police." What's next The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating the incident and will then turn their findings over to the state attorney's office for review. The OCSO will then conduct its own internal investigation. Body camera footage will be released to the public within 30 days. Dig deeper This was the second deputy-involved shooting that occurred on Saturday in Orange County. On Saturday morning, a deputy shot a man after the man allegedly punched him in the face more than 20 times and then reached for a bag with two guns. The man was transported to the hospital and is now in stable condition. The deputy was also transported to the hospital for his head injuries and is expected to recover. The deputy is currently on paid administrative leave, and body camera footage of the incident will be released soon. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by Orange County Sheriff John Mina in a news conference on June 7, 2025.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man with 2 guns shot by Orange County deputy after allegedly punching him in the face 20 times
The Brief An Orange County deputy shot a man on Saturday morning after the man allegedly punched him in the face more than 20 times and then reached for a bag with two guns. The man was transported to the hospital and is now in stable condition. The deputy was also transported to the hospital for his head injuries and is expected to recover. The deputy is currently on paid administrative leave, and body camera footage of the incident will be released soon. ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - An Orange County deputy shot a man on Saturday morning after the man allegedly punched him in the face 20 times and then reached for a bag with two guns. What we know Orange County Sheriff John Mina hosted a news conference on Saturday to share details about the deputy-involved shooting that took place earlier this morning. Mina said a deputy responded to reports of a man acting suspiciously behind a Save Discount store on Hiawassee Road shortly before 8 a.m. The deputy said they approached the man to ask what he was doing in a fenced-in area behind the store. They said the man then jumped the fence as if he was going to speak the deputy, but instead grabbed a bag from the ground and started to run. The deputy grabbed the man to stop him, but the man started to hit the deputy. Mina said the man punched the deputy in the face about 20 times, with the fight lasting one minute and 16 seconds. During the fight, officials said two guns fell out of the man's bag. The man got off the deputy and ran towards the guns, picking them up off the ground. The deputy then shot the man multiple times. The man was transported to the hospital and is now in stable condition. The deputy was also transported to the hospital for his head injuries and is expected to recover. What's next Officials say the man is being charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, and additional charges are possible. Mina said the man has an extensive criminal history, including robbery and larceny. The deputy is currently on paid administrative leave, and body camera footage of the incident will be released soon. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating the incident and will then turn its findings over to the state attorney's office for review. What we don't know Authorities have not yet released the identities of the suspect or the deputy. This is a developing story. Check back later for more updates. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Orange County Sheriff's Office in a press conference on June 7, 2025.
