Mom Arrested After She Allegedly Forced Child Underwater, Accused Him Of Dunking Son In Pool

A Florida mom was arrested Dec. 19 after she allegedly forced a 6-year-old boy underwater and claimed the child had dunked her son in the pool.

Tiffany Lee Griffith, 36, was charged with aggravated child abuse and booked into the Osceola County Jail, according to a Dec. 21 press release from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies from the sheriff’s office responded to the Gaylord Palms Hotel on Dec. 19 just after 4:30 p.m. following a report of alleged battery involving a child.

According to the same press release, witnesses said three children were playing in the pool when the splashing became “aggressive.” Griffith entered the pool and yelled at the victim after he allegedly bullied her son by dunking him underwater. Griffith then allegedly placed her hands on the 6-year-old’s shoulders and forcibly held him underwater for several seconds, according to police.

Police said the child exited the pool, visibly upset and suffering a nosebleed, and reported the incident to his parents. Griffith allegedly yelled at the child’s mother before leaving the area, the sheriff’s office said. She is being held in the Osceola County Jail without bond as a result of the incident.

In addition, on Dec. 20, a judge ordered Griffith not to have any contact with the 6-year-old victim or his family, according to WPBF.

Griffith claimed she was “protecting” her son from being “drowned” by the other child when she spoke to police, PEOPLE reported. Griffith said her son, who is also 6-years-old, is nonverbal and has autism.

Griffith also expressed regret over how she handled the incident, according to the outlet. It is unclear if Griffith’s son sustained any injuries. Griffith was set to appear in court Monday, PEOPLE reported. (RELATED: Wild Video Captures Moment Alleged Shoplifter Pulls Gun On Cop, Tries Shooting Him)

The Daily Caller contacted the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, which did not immediately comment.