A Leesburg woman was arrested for battery after admitting to punching a man for telling her daughter not to give him attitude.
Officers responded to an unknown situation at an undisclosed Lake County residence around 3:25 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. Upon arrival, they observed two male juveniles waving for help through their living room window. One officer interviewed the victim while others spoke with 33-year-old Kathiria Maldonado.
The victim advised that he was repairing a window in his bedroom while Maldonado was present. He saw Maldonado’s daughter walk by his bedroom and asked her to put away a wet rag. Soon after, he threw it at her, believing she would catch it. The rag instead hit her shirt, the report said.
Maldonado’s daughter grew frustrated and started to give the victim attitude for throwing the wet rag at her. The victim told her it was by accident and said not to give him attitude. Maldonado heard them arguing and immediately intervened, the report said.
Maldonado stated, “Do not talk to my daughter like that,” before striking the victim in the face with a closed fist. He believed he was struck eight to ten times during the encounter. He also stated he did not hit her back and only defended himself, the report said.
While speaking with the victim, the officer observed a small cut on his upper lip and a small cut in the middle of his bottom lip. It was confirmed that his injuries corroborated with the statements given, the report said.
The officer then contacted another officer who advised that Maldonado’s statement corroborated what the victim said. She admitted to striking him. There were also no injuries observed on her person or indications that the victim may have struck her, the report said.
Maldonado was subsequently arrested on charge of simple battery (domestic). The native of Puerto Rico was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $2,000 bond.