Background: Arcola Lake Elementary School in Miami, Fla. (Google Maps). Inset: Erika Letisha Cruz (Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation).
A Florida woman was put behind bars after she allegedly threatened another mother at her child”s elementary school.
Erika Letisha Cruz, 39, was arrested at Arcola Lake Elementary School in Miami on Thursday after another mother claimed she threatened to “shoot [her] in the face.” The alleged incident reportedly occurred near the school’s drop-off line on the morning of the first school day. According to court documents obtained by local NBC affiliate WTVJ, the focus of Cruz’s anger — who was escorting her disabled son into the school — was also allegedly hit by Cruz’s car while being instructed to “hurry the f— up.”
Local CBS affiliate WSVN reported that Cruz exited her vehicle and approached the other mother, allegedly warning, “Say one more word and I am going to shoot you in the face.”
Cruz appeared in court on Friday before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer. WTVJ witnessed the hearing and reported that the father of Cruz’s child disputed some charges. A Miami-Dade Schools police officer involved in Cruz’s arrest attended the hearing and informed the judge that he did not consider the alleged bump by Cruz’s vehicle to be intentional.
Nonetheless, police discovered a Sig Sauer P238 handgun with four rounds in Cruz’s purse when she was arrested. Cruz faces three felony charges — possessing a firearm on school property, aggravated assault with a firearm, and aggravated battery. Bond was established for two of the three charges, but Cruz cannot post bond until an amount is set for the third charge. She remains in custody at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center but was approved for pretrial release pending bond posting.
During the hearing, Glazer addressed Cruz, saying, “[W]hat a terrible way for your child to begin the first day of school with Mom getting hauled off to jail. You know, you have to be an adult and set a good example, and keep your, you know, you need to relax. It’s very upsetting.”
Glazer added, “Oh boy, stay away from the alleged victim.” A stay-away order was noted in court records.
