Share this @internewscast.com

The teen driver of an SUV that crashed into a Florida playground, killing one child and seriously injuring another, has been identified.

WINK News reports that the motorist behind the fatal crash has been identified as Kiara Morant, 18, of Arcadia. According to the report, Morant had initially been charged only with driving without a valid license, and was released from jail. A WINK News reporter said in a Twitter post Friday morning that Morant has been booked back into jail with upgraded charges of a crash causing death.

The reporter also identified the girl who died as Maleena Valdez.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Valdez, 4, died after being hit by the vehicle that crashed through fencing at the Arcadia playground this week. A 5-year-old girl was also hospitalized with serious injuries. According to the news station, Maleena Valdez died on her mother’s birthday.

A witness told WINK News that they heard children screaming, and inititally did not believe the sounds were coming from the daycare, right behind her home.

“Kids screaming and I said, ‘Well, it could be coming from our pool,’ but it was so many screams of so many kids and everything that I thought well you know there’s no way it could be coming from the pool,” neighbor Becky Stidham told the news station.

“It’s a pretty traumatic episode for all the kids seeing a vehicle just come right at them.”

CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.

[Feature image: Family photo/WINK News]

Post source: Crime Online

Source: This post first appeared on

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

True Crime Blogger Receives Sentence for Neglecting Mother While Managing Website

A woman from Wisconsin received a very short prison term after she…

Actor to Challenge ‘Mathematical Formula’ of Nazi Salute in Court Case

Former television soap star Damien Richardson may question the “mathematical formula” of…

Breaking News: Hollywood Executive’s Son Accused of Murdering Family Found Dead in Jail Cell

A California man who was charged with murdering and dismembering his wife…

Trump Alleges Mortgage Fraud Against Adam Schiff: A Breakdown

Left: Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) attends a Senate Committee on Environment and…

Trump Administration Requests 9th Circuit Court’s Approval for Immigration Arrests

President Donald Trump addresses the media while departing the White House on…

Man Purchased ‘Punisher’ Tee from Walmart Before Fatally Attacking His Father

Cooper Wesley in court on July 14, 2025 (KFSM). A 27-year-old man…

Father’s Urgent Quest: Is Ava Grace, 6-Year-Old TikTok Star, Missing?

Social media is buzzing with intrigue as conspiracy theories suggest that Ava…

Shooter Kills 2 and Injures 2 in Kentucky Church Following State Trooper Attack

A Kentucky mother and daughter were killed and their husbands injured on…

Visitor to Appear in Court Following Deadly E-Scooter Incident While Intoxicated

An English backpacker accused of fatally colliding with a beloved father of…

Police Report: Man Allegedly Kills Rival Over Car Seat Installation

Left: Demontra Collins (Hamilton County Jail). Right: Jamel Sutton (Hardwick Funeral Home).…

Father Fatally Injures 4-Year-Old Son Following Dispute Over PlayStation, Police Report

Left: Ralph Taylor Jr. Right: Casandra Taylor (Milwaukee County Jail). Two parents…

Man Allegedly Kills Ex-Wife’s Partner During Karaoke Performance, Authorities Report

Left inset: Richard Lindgren (Orangeburg County Jail). Right inset: Benjamin Hawk (GoFundMe).…