NEED TO KNOW
- Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri was arrested after allegedly pushing a teen at a Disney World parade
- The 51-year-old tourist was visiting from Spain when the alleged incident happened
- A judge said the suspect cannot visit any other Disney properties
A Walt Disney World tourist was arrested after she allegedly shoved a teen to get a better view of a parade at one of the resort’s theme parks.
Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri, 51, of Spain, was arrested for child abuse on Monday, July 21, at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Bay Lake, Fla., by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), per an arrest affidavit PEOPLE obtained.
Deputies responded to “an altercation” at approximately 9:40 p.m. local time and “separated the two parties involved.”
The 17-year-old, whose name was redacted, told deputies she “was standing on the sidewalk of ‘Main Street’ in front of the castle preparing to watch the parade.”
Zapata-Echeverri allegedly “put her hand on [the teen] ‘trying to make space’ and [the teen] asked the suspect not to touch her in Spanish.”
Soon after, Zapata-Echeverri allegedly “grabbed [the teen] by the arm and pulled her to the side, causing a bruise and abrasion on her right arm.”
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The suspect, who was born in Colombia but is a current resident of Spain, told deputies she was following behind her daughter to get to the front of the crowd to watch the parade.
She also claimed it was the teen who pushed into her, saying it was “her spot.”
The arrest affidavit noted “nail marks” on the minor’s arm. Zapata-Echeverri allegedly had an unclear explanation as to how the teen received the injuries and “just pantomimed her ‘pushing.’ ”
OSCO deputies said the teen was the only one to sustain injuries during the alleged altercation.
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“Martha knowingly and willfully touched [the teen]. Martha committed the intentional act of grabbing or pushing which was reasonable to cause some type of injury,” according to the arrest affidavit.
There was “a small abrasion and bruise” on the 17-year-old’s arm as a result. Additionally, there were no independent witnesses or surveillance footage.
Zapata-Echeverri arrived in Central Florida on a tourist visa on July 2 and appeared in court on Tuesday, July 22, her attorney said, per WESH.
Her bond was reduced to $2,500, and a judge said she cannot return to any Disney property, the outlet reported. Her attorney said she was scheduled to return to Spain on Wednesday, July 23.
Reps for Walt Disney World did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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