The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A woman was arrested after allegedly making racist comments and spraying her neighbor and two children with bear repellent while they were outside playing.
Last November, a woman moved into a house in Ocala with her now 3-year-old and 6-year-old daughters. She reported that since the day they arrived, she has had an adverse relationship with her next door neighbor. The 81-year-old has allegedly directed racist remarks (e.g., [n-word]) towards the new family for over six months. According to reports, things intensified on May 30, and the incident led to injuries and pending felony charges.
The situation reportedly began while the children and their mother were outside in their front yard playing with bubbles. Though their mom asserted that the kids stayed far from the fence dividing the properties, their neighbor reportedly said the youngsters were right next to it, and she believed they were yelling at her. She had a can of pepper spray bear repellent, and allegedly sprayed it in their direction. The mother and her 6-year-old were reportedly adversely affected by the midst, and the authorities were notified.
Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the alleged victim told them her lungs and her daughter’s nose were burning from the effects of the spray. She reported that her neighbor was standing at the fence when she sprayed them. The neighbor disputed that claim and told the deputy she was standing on her porch when she sprayed the can towards the fence, but the contents did not hit anyone.
It was believed that she was the aggressor in the incident, and the octogenarian was taken into custody and booked into the Marion County Jail. She is facing preliminary charges of three felony counts of battery – second or subsequent offense. Two days later, she was released after posting a $6,000 bond.
If you or someone you love is suspected of an assault or battery offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.