Background: Arcola Lake Elementary School in Miami, Fla. (Google Maps). Inset: Erika Letisha Cruz (Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation).
A Florida woman was put behind bars after she allegedly threatened another mother at her child”s elementary school.
Erika Letisha Cruz, 39, was arrested at Arcola Lake Elementary School in Miami on Thursday after another mother accused her of threatening to “shoot [her] in the face.” The alleged confrontation reportedly took place near the school’s drop-off line on the morning of the first day of class. According to court documents obtained by local NBC affiliate WTVJ, the target of Cruz’s anger — who was walking with her disabled son into the school — was also allegedly bumped by Cruz’s vehicle while being told to “hurry the f— up.”
Local CBS affiliate WSVN reported that Cruz got out of her vehicle and walked up to the other mother, allegedly warning, “Say one more word and I am going to shoot you in the face.”
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Cruz appeared in court on Friday in front of Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer. WTVJ was at that hearing and reported that the father of Cruz’s child took issue with some of the charges. A Miami-Dade Schools police officer who was involved in Cruz’s arrest was present at the hearing and told the judge that he did not believe the alleged bump by Cruz’s vehicle was intentional.
However, police did find a Sig Sauer P238 handgun with four rounds in Cruz’s purse when she was arrested. Cruz was charged with three felonies — possessing a firearm on school property, aggravated assault with a firearm, and aggravated battery. Bond was set for two of the three charges, but Cruz is unable to post bond until an amount is set for the third charge. She remains in custody at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, but was approved for pretrial release once she posts bond.
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At the hearing, Glazer addressed Cruz, saying, “[W]hat a terrible way for your child to begin the first day of school with Mom getting hauled off to jail. You know, you have to be an adult and set a good example, and keep your, you know, you need to relax. It’s very upsetting.”
Glazer added, “Oh boy, stay away from the alleged victim.” A stay-away order was noted in court records.
