Disney World Tourist Arrested for Allegedly Shoving Teen at Parade
A tourist visiting Walt Disney World was arrested on July 21 after allegedly pushing a teenager during a parade. The incident took place at Magic Kingdom in Bay Lake, Florida.
Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri, a 51-year-old from Spain, faces charges of child abuse according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Officers arrived at the scene around 9:40 p.m. to separate the involved parties.
The 17-year-old victim, whose name has not been disclosed, reported that she was standing on Main Street, getting ready to enjoy the parade when Zapata-Echeverri allegedly pushed her. The teen asked her not to touch her in Spanish, but the situation escalated. Witnesses say that Zapata-Echeverri grabbed the teen’s arm, resulting in a bruise and abrasion.
Zapata-Echeverri, originally from Colombia but living in Spain, claimed she was simply trying to follow her daughter to get a better view. She also asserted that the teen had pushed her first, saying it was “her spot.”
The arrest report documented visible injuries on the teen’s arm, while Zapata-Echeverri reportedly couldn’t adequately explain how the marks appeared. The sheriff’s office noted that the teen was the only one injured during the incident.
The report stated that Zapata-Echeverri intentionally touched the minor in a way that could cause harm. She was in the area as a tourist and had arrived in Florida on a visa around July 2. After her court appearance on July 22, her bond was set at $2,500, and she was barred from returning to any Disney properties.
Her attorney indicated that she was scheduled to fly back to Spain the following day. Disney representatives did not provide a comment regarding the incident.
