ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A New Baltimore woman was arrested on suspicion of child abuse Wednesday after she choked a girl who was blocking her view of a fireworks display at Disney, police said.
Police responded to reports of child abuse at a fireworks show around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday at 1402 Magic Kingdom Drive in Orange County, Florida.
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Tabbatha Kaye Mature, 41, said she was sitting behind a group of children at a fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. When the fireworks started and everyone stood up, the group of friends stood up and blocked Mature from the fireworks, police said.
Mature's group told the children to sit down, and she became aggravated that she couldn't see the fireworks, police said.
The group of children decided to leave the Magic Kingdom, and a girl told Mature "You can take our spot," police said.
The girl said Mature got mad and "wrapped both hands around my neck and began squeezing." She said Mature pushed her head toward the ground and let go when the girl started to scream.
"You don't want to mess with me," Mature said, according to police. The girl's friends helped her get away from Mature and reported the incident to a Walt Disney World employee.
Officials said the victim was visiting with a group of students and chaperones from her high school.
The victim and her mother said they plan to press charges against Mature.
The girl refused medical attention, police said.