OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A mother in Osceola County was arrested this week after deputies said she told her children to beat up a 10-year-old, according to the sheriff’s office.
In a release, deputies said they responded to the Heritage Park Apartment Complex in reference to a disturbance involving several children at a community park.
[BELOW: Bodycam video shows arrest of Crooms Academy teacher]
Upon arrival, though, deputies learned that a “physical altercation” broke out between some children who were playing at the park. One group of children left and returned with their mothers.
“Two women (mothers of children involved) got into a verbal argument with some of the children,” the release reads. “One of the mothers, 41-year-old Ketsy Ann Rivera, pushed her children (8 and 9 years old) toward the 10-year-old victim and instructed them to strike the child.”
Rivera then grabbed the 10-year-old boy by his shirt, preventing him from getting away or defending himself, deputies added.
Investigators said the boy was found with significant swelling in his left eye.
“The mother of the victim appeared on scene and asked for prosecution of the woman that illegally restrained her child,” the release continues. “The fire department responded to medically evaluate the child and cleared him of any serious injuries.”
Rivera was ultimately arrested and now faces charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, child abuse without great bodily harm, and false imprisonment.
[BELOW: Murder plot sought to resurrect Sandy Hook shooter at Central Florida high school, records show]