Tourist charged with child abuse for assaulting teen at Disney parade

In the United States, a 51-year-old tourist named Martha Zapata-Echeverri from Kissimmee, Florida, was arrested in relation to an altercation with a 17-year-old girl during a parade at Disney's Magic Kingdom. On the evening of July 21, 2025, the incident occurred on Main Street U.S.A. just before the nightly parade, generating a public response due to its unsettling nature within the typically joyful environment of Disney World. Zapata-Echeverri allegedly forcefully grabbed the teenager during a confrontation that stems from an attempt to create space in a crowded area. According to the authorities, the teenager sustained visible injuries including a bruise and abrasion on her arm, resulting from the encounter. The confrontation began when the teen asked Zapata-Echeverri not to touch her after she placed a hand on the girl while trying to navigate through the dense crowd. This escalated into the older woman grabbing the teen's arm, causing her to be pulled aside forcefully. Eyewitness accounts of the exact events are scarce, with no independent witnesses or surveillance footage available to substantiate the claims made by both parties. The sheriff’s office mentioned that only the teenager recorded visible injuries, raising questions about the nature of the altercation. Zapata-Echeverri's perspective indicated her belief that the conflict arose due to the 17-year-old pushing into her space, disputing the teenager's characterization of events. Zapata-Echeverri’s account claimed she was merely trying to follow her daughter to a better viewing position for the parade. After the incident, authorities arrested Zapata-Echeverri on child abuse charges, reflecting serious repercussions for her actions. In her initial court appearance, it was revealed that she had entered the United States on a tourist visa shortly prior to the incident, and she was scheduled to return to Spain within days. The judge allowed a bond reduction to $2,500 while banning her from all properties owned by Disney. This situation raises concerns about tourist behavior and accountability within family-friendly environments, prompting discussions among the public about safety and proper conduct at such events.