Mother Arrested for Inciting Her Children to Assault 10-Year-Old Over Insult

A mother from Florida has been arrested for reportedly instructing her children to physically assault a 10-year-old boy after he referred to her as 'fat ass.'

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office reported that a group of children was playing at Heritage Park Apartment Complex when a violent confrontation erupted, prompting some of the kids to call for their mothers to intervene.

One of the responding mothers was identified by law enforcement as Ketsy Ann Rivera, aged 41.

Witnesses, as well as the child who was targeted, stated that a verbal dispute started as soon as the mothers arrived.

Court documents revealed by a local news station, WFTV, indicated that Rivera used a derogatory phrase against the 10-year-old. In retaliation, the boy labeled her and another mother as 'fat a--es.'

Rivera allegedly ordered her children, aged 8 and 9, to attack the boy. The siblings reportedly complied and began to punch the victim, while Rivera restrained the child by holding onto his shirt, preventing any escape.

Captain Kim Montes of the Osceola County Sheriff's Office described the situation, noting, "She was actually holding him back where he could not even defend himself from the other two boys coming at him or get away from the situation. It was three against one."

Authorities reported that the child sustained significant swelling around his left eye due to the assault.

Upon police arrival, Rivera immediately denied having struck the boy but allegedly admitted to instructing her children to do so.

Montes condemned Rivera's actions, emphasizing that it was her duty as a mother to deescalate the situation rather than escalate it. "She took it to the next level," Montes remarked.

The boy is expected to recover but is said to be psychologically impacted by the ordeal, according to the sheriff's office.

Rivera was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, child abuse without causing great bodily harm, and false imprisonment, as reported by authorities.