Former Florida Police Officer Arrested After Allegedly Holding 6-Year-Old Underwater in "Revenge" Incident

Former Law Enforcement Officer Charged in Resort Pool Altercation

A family vacation at a luxury Florida resort turned into a legal nightmare for a former police officer after she was arrested for allegedly holding a six-year-old boy underwater. Tiffany Lee Griffith, 36, was taken into custody following an incident at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, where witnesses and surveillance footage tell a harrowing story of a playground dispute that escalated into felony child abuse. Griffith, who previously served as a law enforcement officer in Southwest Florida, now finds herself on the other side of the law in a case that has shocked the local community and the victims family.

The Incident at the Gaylord Palms Resort

The conflict began on a Friday afternoon at the resort's crowded pool area. According to reports from the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, three children were playing in the water when the atmosphere shifted from playful to aggressive. Investigators state that Griffith became enraged after observing a six-year-old boy allegedly dunking her own son underwater. Rather than seeking the assistance of lifeguards or approaching the other child's parents, Griffith allegedly took a direct and physical approach to what she perceived as a bullying incident against her child.

Witnesses told deputies that Griffith entered the pool with a calm demeanor but quickly targeted the six-year-old victim. The arrest affidavit details how Griffith allegedly placed both of her hands on the young boy's shoulders and forcibly submerged him. Surveillance footage later reviewed by law enforcement reportedly confirmed the witness accounts, showing the child being held beneath the surface for approximately two to four seconds. The boy, visibly traumatized, eventually surfaced and fled the pool area with a noticeable nosebleed to find his parents.

A Motive of "Revenge" and Protection

When questioned by authorities, Griffith reportedly characterized her actions as an act of protection. She explained to deputies that her son is non-verbal and autistic, and she believed he was being "drowned" by the other child. Griffith claimed she acted instinctively to save her son and confront the aggressor. However, investigators noted a significant discrepancy between her account and the evidence; security footage reportedly did not show any prior incident where Griffith's son was held underwater by the victim. Instead, the footage captured Griffith following the boy after the dunking and engaging in a heated verbal altercation with the child's mother.

• Witnesses claim Griffith dunked the boy as "revenge" for the earlier splashing.
• The victim suffered a nosebleed and significant emotional distress.
• The suspect allegedly yelled at the victim's family before being removed from the scene.
• Security footage contradicted Griffith's claims of her son being in immediate danger.

The Irony of a Former School Resource Officer

Perhaps the most striking element of the case is Griffith's professional background. Before the incident, she served as a police officer and worked specifically as a School Resource Officer (SRO). In that capacity, Griffith was responsible for the safety of students and was known for delivering lectures on the dangers of bullying and the importance of conflict resolution. The contrast between her former role as a mentor who protected children from harassment and her current status as a defendant in a child abuse case has not gone unnoticed by the public.

During her interview with deputies, Griffith reportedly demonstrated her familiarity with the legal system, noting that she could recite her Miranda rights from memory due to her previous career in law enforcement. Despite her professional experience, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office moved forward with serious charges, citing the physical nature of the confrontation and the age of the victim.

Legal Consequences and Release on Bond

Tiffany Lee Griffith was initially booked into the Osceola County Jail on a charge of aggravated child abuse, a high-level felony. During a subsequent court appearance, the charge was adjusted to third-degree felony child abuse. A judge set her bond at $20,000, with strict conditions for her release. Griffith is currently prohibited from returning to the Gaylord Palms Resort, must avoid any contact with the victim or his family, and is barred from consuming alcohol while the case is pending. As the legal process moves forward, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of playground disputes and the severe consequences of taking the law into one's own hands, especially for those who once swore to uphold it.