Former Florida law enforcement officer accused of forcing 6-year-old underwater in hotel pool: report
Share this @internewscast.com

A woman facing charges for allegedly holding a young boy underwater at a Florida hotel pool is a former police officer known for addressing students on the impact of bullying, sources reveal.

Tiffany Lee Griffith, aged 36 and residing in Fort Myers, was taken into custody earlier this month. She faces a charge of aggravated child abuse following the incident at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, as reported by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

The alleged event took place around 4:30 p.m. on December 19th, involving three children who were playing in the pool at the resort.

Authorities report that the situation escalated when a 6-year-old boy purportedly dunked Griffith’s son underwater, leading her to intervene.

tiffany-lee-griffith

Tiffany Lee Griffith, aged 36, has been detained and charged with aggravated child abuse. (Courtesy of Osceola County Sheriff’s Office)

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office stated, “The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Tiffany Lee Griffith from Fort Myers, entered the pool and confronted a 6-year-old boy after he allegedly submerged her son. She then placed her hands on the boy’s shoulders and forcibly pushed him underwater for several seconds.”

The child left the pool visibly upset and had a nosebleed. He then told his parents about the incident, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

Griffith then yelled at the boy’s mother before leaving the area. Deputies later located and arrested Griffith, authorities said.

gaylord-palms-hotel

The Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center (Google Maps)

Griffith later told police she was a former law enforcement officer. She worked for the Punta Gorda Police Department from 2013 to 2018 under the name Tiffany Lee Viola, authorities told WPBF 25 News.

During her tenure, she reportedly served as a school resource officer.

Posts on the Punta Gorda Police Department Facebook page show Griffith teaching students about topics including bullying, sexting and internet safety, WPBF 25 News reported.

“She is teaching a course educating high school freshman on the negative consequences of bullying and sexting, as well as common crimes that occur involving high school students as either the perpetrator or victim,” one department post stated.

Griffith was also recognized as the department’s Employee of the Quarter in 2016, according to WPBF 25 News.

Police units responds to the scene of an emergency.

Griffith was booked into the Osceola County Jail and later released on $20,000 bond. (Getty Images)

Griffith was booked into the Osceola County Jail and later released on a $20,000 bond, according to WPBF 25 News.

The Punta Gorda Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and Gaylord Hotels did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
FBI subpoenaed Kash Patel and Susie Wiles phone records in federal Trump FBI investigation

Breaking: FBI Targets Key Trump Allies Kash Patel & Susie Wiles in Subpoenaed Phone Records Investigation

The FBI issued subpoenas for the phone records of Kash Patel and…
President Trump throws shade at Pelosi with call to end congressional stock trading, gets ovation from Sen. Warren

Trump Criticizes Pelosi, Gains Support from Warren in Push to Ban Congressional Stock Trading

WASHINGTON — Among the more unexpected moments during President Trump’s State of…
Son turns on his lawmaker dad for using 'Epstein loophole' to avoid jail for allegedly touching kids: 'Inexplicable trauma'

Lawmaker’s Son Speaks Out Against Father for Alleged Use of ‘Epstein Loophole’ to Evade Jail in Child Molestation Case: ‘Inexplicable Trauma

The son of a disgraced politician has publicly condemned his father for…
NFL receives no tush push ban proposal this year after effort last year to ban it failed

NFL Receives No Proposals to Ban ‘Tush Push’ Following Last Year’s Unsuccessful Attempt

The “tush push” maneuver continues to challenge both defenses and decision-makers alike.…
Hezbollah won't intervene if US strikes Iran, group says

Hezbollah Declares Non-Involvement in Potential US-Iran Conflict

An official stated on Wednesday that Hezbollah will refrain from engaging in…
Trump touts lower drug prices, reveals TrumpRx's first customer, during State of the Union address

Revolutionizing Healthcare: Trump Unveils TrumpRx’s Inaugural Customer and Breakthrough in Drug Pricing at State of the Union

During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Trump highlighted…
California Tesla driver barrels car into crowd outside Redlands The Underground bar

Tesla Driver Crashes into Crowd Outside Redlands’ The Underground Bar in California

A harrowing scene unfolded in San Bernardino County, California, over the weekend…
Inside the luxurious love nest where Mexican drug lord ‘El Mencho' spent his final days

Exploring the Opulent Hideaway of Mexican Drug Lord ‘El Mencho’ in His Final Days

The opulent yet disorderly hideout where notorious drug lord Nemesio “El Mencho”…
Iran to buy supersonic anti-ship missiles from China: report

Iran Plans to Acquire Advanced Supersonic Missiles from China, Report Reveals

Iran is on the verge of acquiring supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles from…
California sanctuary policies blamed after ICE arrests 9 sex offenders in Los Angeles

California Sanctuary Policies Under Scrutiny as ICE Detains 9 Los Angeles Sex Offenders

The spotlight is once again on California’s sanctuary policies following a recent…
Trump blasts Democrats who refused to stand for protecting Americans over 'illegal aliens' at State of the Union 2026

Trump Criticizes Democrats for Not Standing Up for American Protection in State of the Union 2026 Address

President Trump criticized Democratic leaders who declined to support his assertion that…
'Not on my bingo card': Hegseth comments on being tasked with releasing files on UFOs

Pete Hegseth Surprised by New Role in Unveiling UFO Files

“Do you think aliens exist?” was the question posed to Defense Secretary…