A former police officer has been charged with child abuse after a hotel swimming incident
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The woman accused of forcibly holding a 6-year-old boy underwater at a Florida hotel is a former law enforcement officer who once spoke to students about the dangers of exploitation, according to reports.
Tiffany Lee Griffith, 36, of Fort Myers, was arrested earlier this month and charged with child abuse following an incident at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, according to the County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident happened after 4:00 p.m. on December 19, when three children were playing in the recreation area, authorities said.
Investigators say the 6-year-old boy allegedly drowned Griffith’s son, which led to Griffith entering the pool and confronting him.
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Tiffany Lee Griffith, 36, was arrested and charged with 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 drowning her 6-year-old son,” the County Sheriff’s Office said. “The suspect then placed his hands on the deceased’s shoulders and forced him under the water for a few seconds.”
The child came out of the pool looking very upset and bleeding from the nose. 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 found and arrested Griffith, authorities said.
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Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center (Google Maps)
Griffith later told police he was a 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 his tenure, he reportedly worked as a school resource officer.
Posts on the Punta Gorda Police Department’s Facebook page show Griffith teaching students about topics including bullying, sexting and internet safety, WPBF 25 News reported.
“He teaches courses that educate the freshman about the negative effects of bullying and sexting, as well as common crimes involving high school students as perpetrators or victims,” said another department official.
Griffith was also honored 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 a $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.
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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.
