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Disney visitor charged with child abuse after ‘shoving teen to get better parade view' leaving her with ‘nail marks'

Disney visitor charged with child abuse after ‘shoving teen to get better parade view' leaving her with ‘nail marks'

The Irish Sun7 days ago
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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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What age can a child legally babysit another in England over the school summer holidays?

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Disney World tourist charged with child abuse after trying to get better view at parade
Disney World tourist charged with child abuse after trying to get better view at parade

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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.

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