Winter Haven police release body cam video of arrest after image of young girl goes viral

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Winter Haven, FL - A photo of a mother and her child on the ground during an interaction with Winter Haven police Tuesday elicited criticism on social media and prompted a response from the department.

The photo, which was posted in multiple social media groups Wednesday, appeared to show a Winter Haven officer holding a gun as the woman and her child were lying on the ground and another officer placed the mother in handcuffs.

Many people pointed out that, in the photo, the officer seemed to be holding the woman and her child at gunpoint. However, the police department released a statement Wednesday saying that “at no point was the officer’s weapon pointed at the child as confirmed by multiple cameras.”

According to police, the March 4 interaction followed a 911 call regarding a disturbance involving a firearm at Santiago’s, a local shopping center. Reports indicated that a man had gotten into a fight with one of the store’s employees in the parking lot.

The suspect was said to have left the property heading south on Highway 17 in a red Nissan Altima. The mother and her child were passengers in the vehicle, officers explained.

After a BOLO was issued for the Nissan, officers found the vehicle at the American Legion on Avenue M Northwest. Authorities said the suspect, along with the two passengers, had already gotten out of the vehicle by the time they arrived.

Officers found the suspect on the side of the building and took him into custody. Meanwhile, the woman was directed to get on the ground and immediately complied. Police said the woman’s young child “mimicked” her actions and got on the ground next to her.

Body camera video released by the department showed two officers rushing over to them. At least one officer could be seen holding a gun as they approached the woman and her child.

Officials said the officer “immediately pointed his firearm toward the ground at a low-ready position” as soon as he became aware of the presence of the child.

The police department also stated that officers “immediately calmed and cared for the young child” after the woman was detained.

“Officers responded with an appropriate level of caution with the understanding there was a weapon involved seeking to resolve the situation,” the police department wrote in its statement. “When approaching (the mother and her child), officers could not have known who was in possession of the firearm.”

Authorities said they later found a Diamondback 9mm semiautomatic pistol inside the Nissan.

The police department notified the Department of Children and Families of the incident due to the violent nature of the alleged crime committed in the presence of the child.

Police said the woman and the suspect were ultimately released because the victim declined to press charges. However, a complaint affidavit was filed with the State Attorney’s Office for the suspect for affray, or fighting in public, and improper display of a weapon.

A second complaint affidavit was filed for the store employee who police said was involved in the fight.