A 51-year-old tourist from Spain, originally from Colombia, was arrested at Walt Disney World after she allegedly assaulted a teenage girl during a parade in an attempt to secure a better view, according to authorities.
The incident unfolded Sunday afternoon on Main Street U.S.A., near the iconic Cinderella Castle. As crowds gathered to enjoy the colorful procession, tension reportedly flared between Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri and a 17-year-old girl who was already standing at the front of the viewing area.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the teen claimed that Zapata-Echeverri forcefully placed her hand on her while “trying to make space” in the crowd, causing visible injuries including a bruise and abrasion on her arm. The girl said she had stepped slightly back to make room for a friend when Zapata-Echeverri allegedly seized her by the arm and pulled her aside.
Zapata-Echeverri, however, gave police a different version of events. She claimed she had simply been trying to follow behind her daughter through the tightly packed crowd when the teenager allegedly shoved her and insisted, “this is my spot.” The dispute reportedly escalated from there.
Despite her denial of wrongdoing, Zapata-Echeverri was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail where she was formally charged with child abuse—a serious felony offense in the state of Florida. She appeared in front of a judge the following day, where she entered a plea of not guilty.
She was released on a $2,500 bond with a significant condition attached to her release: she is now banned from entering any Disney property.
Court records show that Zapata-Echeverri arrived in the U.S. on a tourist visa on July 2. Her attorney informed local news outlet WFLA that she had planned to return to Spain just two days after the incident, on Wednesday.
The case has raised concerns over crowd behavior and personal boundaries at large public gatherings, particularly in high-pressure environments like Disney parks, where space is often limited and emotions can run high. The investigation remains ongoing.