KISSIMMEE, Fla. (CBS12) — A Fort Myers woman faced a judge after being accused of pushing a 6-year-old child underwater during an incident at the Gaylord Palms Resort pool on Friday.
Tiffany Griffith, 36, appeared emotional during her bond hearing on Saturday, where a judge set bail at $20,000. Authorities say Griffith allegedly entered the pool, splashed several children, and then forcibly submerged one child for several seconds before leaving. Deputies reported the boy emerged from the water with a bloody nose.
A 36-year-old Fort Myers woman, Tiffany Griffith, appeared in court after allegedly pushing a 6-year-old boy underwater at the Gaylord Palms Resort pool. Authorities say Griffith, a former law enforcement officer, splashed several children before forcibly submerging the child for several seconds, leaving him with a bloody nose. During her emotional bond hearing, the judge set bail at $20,000 and noted her actions were an overreaction but appeared isolated and reactionary. Griffith claims she acted to protect her autistic 7-year-old son amid a tense situation. Under bond conditions, she cannot contact the victim or his family. The case has raised concerns about child safety and appropriate behavior during public conflicts as the investigation continues. (CNN Newsource | WFTV) – 300f974e-c0da-4511-abf9-aa58e6f3a464.png
Footage presented in court showed a witness describing the video evidence.
A 36-year-old Fort Myers woman, Tiffany Griffith, appeared in court after allegedly pushing a 6-year-old boy underwater at the Gaylord Palms Resort pool. Authorities say Griffith, a former law enforcement officer, splashed several children before forcibly submerging the child for several seconds, leaving him with a bloody nose. During her emotional bond hearing, the judge set bail at $20,000 and noted her actions were an overreaction but appeared isolated and reactionary. Griffith claims she acted to protect her autistic 7-year-old son amid a tense situation. Under bond conditions, she cannot contact the victim or his family. The case has raised concerns about child safety and appropriate behavior during public conflicts as the investigation continues. (CNN Newsource | WFTV)
“And place both of her hands on his shoulders and submerge them in the water for a couple of seconds he wasn’t, he wasn’t sure. He advised it was approximately 2 to 4 seconds and then let go of him, proceeded to splash water before exiting the pool,” according to the deputy.
Griffith, a former law enforcement officer, claims she acted to protect her autistic 7-year-old son during what she described as a tense situation. The judge acknowledged her actions were an overreaction but ruled the incident appeared isolated and reactionary, not posing an ongoing threat to the community.
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“A parent should certainly know not to put their hands on someone else’s child, and certainly any former law enforcement should know not to put their hands on someone else’s child,” the judge said.
Under bond conditions, Griffith is prohibited from contacting the victim or the victim’s family.
The case has sparked conversations about child safety and appropriate responses during conflicts in public spaces. Authorities continue to investigate.
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