A tourist has been charged with child abuse after she allegedly assaulted a teenage girl during an altercation over a spot at a Disney World parade in Florida. Martha Lucia Zapata Echeverri, 51, a citizen of Colombia, allegedly grabbed a 17-year-old girl by the arm to pull her aside, leaving behind a bruise and abrasion according to authorities. The altercation started when Zapata Echeverri was following her daughter to get a better view of the parade. The mom then allegedly placed her hand on the teen, trying to make space. The teen told authorities that she asked the woman to not touch her in Spanish. She then moved out of the way for another tourist, before Zapata Echeverri allegedly grabbed her and pulled her to the side, the report claims. However, Zapata Echeverri told investigators the teen pushed into her, saying it was “her spot.” Zapata Echeverri was arrested and charged with one count of child abuse. No other surveillance footage or witnesses could corroborate the events that allegedly took place. According to a statement from her attorney, Bryan Farinas, she has denied the charges and has been released from the Orange County jail after posting bond. “We believe this is a situation that was significantly mischaracterized. Based on the information that we have reviewed at this time, Ms. Zapata Echeverri was confronted and physically pushed by the alleged victim,” Farinas said. The Daily Beast has reached out to The Orange County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
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