A Florida woman is facing serious charges after intentionally running over her boyfriend and their 16-month-old son during a heated argument, as reported by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
The incident unfolded when the woman, aged 27, was engaged in a dispute with her boyfriend inside their home. Following the argument, the boyfriend, who is the father of the toddler, decided to step outside to cool off, taking the child with him. However, instead of calming down, he threw a cinder block at the woman's car.
Enraged by this action, the woman placed two other children, aged 4 and 6 months, in her car and got behind the wheel. She then allegedly drove her car towards her boyfriend and the toddler, running them over in a shocking act of violence, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.
After hitting them, the woman continued driving until she crashed into a neighbor's house. She then retrieved her injured son and took him back to their residence, leaving him alone while she reportedly fled to her sister's home in Orlando. She was later apprehended by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
The boyfriend, who sustained injuries, sought medical treatment, while the toddler was left in critical condition with multiple injuries, including a broken shoulder and collarbone, broken ribs, and a partially collapsed lung. The child is currently hospitalized in Tampa.
The woman has been charged with several offenses, including simple domestic battery, hit-and-run resulting in property damage, aggravated battery, child neglect without bodily harm, and aggravated child abuse.
During questioning, the woman admitted to previous instances where she pretended to run over her boyfriend but swerved at the last moment. Sheriff Judd condemned her actions, emphasizing the severity of her conduct.
The boyfriend has since been released from the hospital after treatment for lung and body bruising. The custody of the other two children is under review by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
This disturbing incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of domestic disputes escalating to violence, leaving a family shattered and a young child fighting for his life.