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Woman accused of forcibly holding 6-year-old boy underwater at Florida hotel is a former law enforcement officer who once spoke to students about the dangers of bullying, according to reports.
Tiffany Lee Griffith, 36, of Fort Myers, was arrested earlier this month and charged with aggravated child abuse following the alleged incident at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred shortly after 4:30 p.m. on December 19, while three children were playing in the resort poolauthorities said.
Investigators said a 6-year-old boy allegedly dunked Griffith’s son underwater, prompting Griffith to enter the pool and confront him.
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Tiffany Lee Griffith, 36, was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse. (Osceola County Sheriff’s Office)
“The suspect, identified as Tiffany Lee Griffith, 36, of Fort Myers, entered the pool and yelled at a 6-year-old boy after allegedly dunking her 6-year-old son underwater,” the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said. “The suspect then placed her hands on the victim’s shoulders and force dunk him underwater for several seconds.
The child came out of the pool visibly upset and had a bloody nose. He later 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 scene. Deputies then located and Griffith arrestedauthorities said.
The Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center (Google Maps)
Griffith later told police she was a former police officer. She worked for Punta Gorda police from 2013 to 2018 under the name Tiffany Lee Viola, according to authorities. told WPBF 25 News.
During her tenure, she reportedly served as school resource officer.
Posts on the Punta Gorda Police Department Facebook page show Griffith teaching topics to students. including bullyingsexting and internet safety, WPBF 25 News reported.
“She teaches a course designed to educate high school freshmen about the negative consequences of harassment and sexting, as well as common crimes that occur that involve high school students as perpetrators or victims,” a department post said.
Griffith was also recognized as the department’s employee of the quarter in 2016, according to WPBF 25 News.
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Griffith was booked into the Osceola County Jail and later released on $20,000 bail. (Getty Images)
Griffith was booked into the Osceola County Jail and later released on $20,000 bail, according to WPBF 25 News.
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The Punta Gorda Police Department, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and Gaylord Hotels did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
