In Safety Harbor, Florida, a disturbing incident has led to the arrest of 46-year-old Betty Jean Union on charges of felony child abuse. According to police reports, the altercation was sparked when Union's son called her a "Booger Face," a taunt that led Union to retaliate physically.
Authorities detail that Union, apparently incensed by the name-calling, struck the child with a partially opened hand. The force of the blow was enough to break the glasses the child was wearing, causing a small laceration on his right cheek and the inside of his upper lip.
The incident, which occurred Tuesday evening in their Safety Harbor home, has prompted a strong response from law enforcement. Union was taken into custody and faces a felony child abuse charge. She was later released on her own recognizance after being booked into the county jail.
In the aftermath, a judge has issued an order prohibiting Union from having any contact with the child. She has been granted a one-time visit, under police supervision, to retrieve her belongings from the home.
According to The Smoking Gun how obtained the arrest affidavit, while redacted in parts, reveals that Union does not have custody of the child. Further digging into court records indicates that Union, who has been divorced since 1996, has been involved in two separate paternity actions since 2013.
This case has shed light on a troubling moment of domestic conflict, leading to serious legal consequences for Union. The community and authorities are now focused on the welfare of the child involved, ensuring he receives the necessary care and support following this incident.
