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
Minneapolis ICE shooting: Community on edge after fatal shooting of woman by federal immigration officer

Minneapolis Community Tense Following Fatal Shooting of Woman by ICE Officer

MINNEAPOLIS — Tensions in Minneapolis escalated on Thursday following the fatal shooting…
Prosecutors blast Mangione’s ‘misleading’ bid to force Bondi off case with death penalty at stake

Controversy Unfolds: Prosecutors Challenge Mangione’s Attempt to Remove Bondi in High-Stakes Death Penalty Case

Federal prosecutors have dismissed as “meritless” the claims made by Luigi Mangione’s…
Florida man accused of killing woman, dumping body on popular tourist destination: report

Shocking Crime on Florida’s Iconic Beach: Man Charged with Murder in Tourist Hotspot

A man from Florida has been arrested in connection with the alleged…
Chicago-area car owner unable to get extended warranty from Hyundai for peeling paint problem

Hyundai’s Paint Problem: Chicago Car Owners Struggle for Warranty Coverage

CHICAGO (WLS) — Numerous car owners in the Chicago area are voicing…
Hochul must fix nonprofits’ contract problems

Governor Hochul Urged to Address Nonprofit Contract Challenges

Nonprofit organizations play an essential role in supporting millions of New Yorkers,…
ICE confirms arrest of Somali illegal immigrant sex offender in Minneapolis

ICE Apprehends Somali Illegal Immigrant and Convicted Sex Offender in Minneapolis

In a recent operation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehended…
NASA weighs cutting short International Space Station mission due to astronaut medical issue

NASA Considers Early Return for International Space Station Crew Amid Health Concerns

NASA is contemplating bringing its crew back from the International Space Station…
Gov Walz authorizes National Guard staging following fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis

Governor Walz Mobilizes National Guard After Deadly ICE Shooting Sparks Minneapolis Tensions

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz took decisive action on Thursday by authorizing the…
Mamdani pledged to fight for all but scrapped order Jewish students say protected them

Controversy Unfolds: Mamdani’s Decision Sparks Debate Over Jewish Student Protection

Jewish students in New York City are voicing their unease following Mayor…
Two wounded in Portland shooting involving federal agents after DHS says vehicle 'weaponized' against them

Portland Shooting: Two Injured After Vehicle Incident with Federal Agents

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported an incident involving a…
Family to resume search lakefront for missing Chicago Public Schools teacher Linda Brown

Urgent Search Resumes: Family Seeks Answers in Disappearance of Chicago Teacher Near Lakefront

CHICAGO (WLS) — The search for Linda Brown, a missing Chicago Public…
FBI cuts Minnesota officials' access to investigation of fatal shooting by an ICE agent

FBI Restricts Minnesota Officials’ Involvement in ICE Agent Fatal Shooting Probe

A dramatic shift in a high-profile investigation unfolded after an ICE agent…