A trip to The Most Magical Place on Earth took a turn for the worse Monday evening when a woman was arrested following an alleged altercation with a teenage guest at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Florida. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, 39-year-old Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri was taken into custody after reportedly grabbing a 17-year-old girl by the arm during a crowded moment in front of Cinderella Castle on Main Street, U.S.A., just as guests were gathering to watch a parade.
The teen told deputies she was standing on the sidewalk when Zapata-Echeverri placed her hand on her to make space. She claimed she told the woman not to touch her, in Spanish, but said the situation escalated when she stepped back to let another guest pass. At that point, Zapata-Echeverri allegedly grabbed her by the arm and pulled her aside, causing a visible bruise and abrasion.
Deputies noted in the report that Zapata-Echeverri admitted to pushing the teen with her arm, claiming the girl had been pushing into her and insisting it was “her spot.” However, her explanation for the victim’s scratch-like injuries and nail marks remained unclear.
Investigators also reported there were no independent witnesses or surveillance footage to confirm either party’s version of events. The teen was the only person reported injured and Zapata-Echeverri was arrested on a charge of child abuse and booked into the Orange County Jail.
Woman Arrested for Allegedly Injuring Teen During Parade at Disney’s Magic Kingdom
The incident has sparked a wave of reactions online, with some social media users poking fun at the situation. “Come to Florida for vacation, leave on probation,” one person joked. Another added simply, “Karen.” Some joked that the victim’s family might seek legal action against the theme park, with one user sarcastically writing, “Next the family will sue Disney for encouraging too large of crowds in the park resulting in this.”
Disney has not publicly commented on the incident.
