On August 14th, 2024, deputies in Flagler County, Florida investigated a violent altercation involving two teenage girls at a school bus stop. According to investigators, one girl's mother arrived after learning about the planned confrontation, but instead of stopping the fight, she allegedly joined in. The situation escalated when the mother reportedly placed one of the teenagers in a headlock restricting her ability to breathe. >> Sheriff's office. >> Hi. Um, my mom's my mom's not here right now. She had to go run errands. >> Can you have her come back? >> Like >> Right now. We have to talk to her. Yeah. >> Uh, yeah. I can. >> All right. Kind of important. >> What's >> On three. >> What's like why is it important? What are you guys arresting my mom or something? >> No, but >> I She was >> She was just involved. We have to talk to her. All right. It's kind of important. We can't do it over the phone. >> Well, letting you know, like my mom was defending herself. She was not hitting her. >> I understand that, but we still need to talk to her. >> Yeah, I I I just like I just not I'm trying to have my mom arrested or something. >> I got you. >> Cuz this at all was not her fault. Like this crazy [ __ ] started hitting me, and my mom was trying to get her off me, and then she starts hitting her. And my mom is like trying to get her off her, like off of her, and like she's pulling her hair, and my mom didn't hit her. All she was doing was trying to get her off of her. Like and she was like backing her away, like go home, like get away. And then she This girl hits her in the [ __ ] face with a metal water bottle. I can show you guys pictures of my mom's face if you need that. This is what her face looks like from the water bottle. And I don't know if that girl can get in trouble since she's younger, but this is what her face looked like. >> Do you know where your mom is? >> She said she's coming now. >> Okay. >> Yeah, so >> as a confrontation between two teenagers was now becoming an investigation involving their parents. The girl's mother claimed she had stepped in to protect her daughter, but deputies still had to gather everyone's account and establish exactly what had happened before taking further action. >> Hi. >> Hello. >> Sorry. >> Um I'm Deputy Corma. Fire department sheriff's office. All I'm going to be doing is just getting uh do you have your ID on you? >> Yeah. >> So I can get your uh license number. >> Do you need my daughter out here? >> Uh yes, and other deputies are going to come out here here and speak to you. >> Okay. >> And get statements. >> Okay, cool. >> So I would retract from saying anything you know about the incident. Um >> Wait, don't say anything? >> Yeah, just like uh because other deputies are where where uh yeah, we're we're getting ready to leave. Other deputies are going to come here and talk to you and they're they're going to make you fill out statements. Any photos you guys have of injuries cuz it's >> Yeah, my face. >> It's it's it's delayed. Um it's better when they're when everything's fresh. >> Oh. >> Uh can I just send you the pictures now? >> Yes, please uh every documentation you have of the incident, just send it my way. >> Yeah, I didn't know because you guys not you, I'm just saying like I waited for a while then I left and I had stuff to >> Yeah, it was kind of a it was kind of a uh a rabbit chase. Yeah, we had to go to a bunch of different houses, talk to them. We haven't talked to everybody yet. So uh from my understanding >> Did you you talk to the the people we got into a fight with like >> I talked I talked to a majority of people involved. That's all I can say. Uh some other deputies are going to come here and talk to you and they're just going to get documentation like uh statements. >> Yeah. >> And all of it's going to be forwarded to me. And it's going to be >> So, you're the one that's going to be taking care of it? >> Yeah, it's going to be an ongoing investigation. All right. So, let's not make any statements. >> Okay. >> Don't make any spontaneous utterances. I'm going to be taking care of this whole thing. >> Okay. >> I'm going to make sure that the deputies come here talk to you guys in depth about everything involved, and we can work from there. >> Um I have one question for you. >> will you will be hearing from me. Um and school resource deputies will get contacted. And other shifts deputies will get contacted for security at bus stops. >> I was just about to say that. >> Yep. So, just to deter >> I mean, tomorrow's her birthday, so I'm going to drive her and pick her up. >> Okay. Okay, that's great. Um just to deter any further incident. Highly suggest no contact being made. If you have them on social media, uh phone numbers, >> Yeah, already they're already blocked. I've already blocked >> All everything blocked. Everything blocked, including you with the parents. >> I don't even have their numbers. >> Okay, that's that is fine. And then we can uh a a thorough This going to be a thorough ongoing investigation until we get everybody's witness statements, all all video footage of everything that was recorded. >> too? >> Uh I have a majority of it. When the deputies arrive on scene, make sure you share all of that with them. And everything will get forwarded to me. It's under the same case number. They can provide that case number to you. And then we'll work from there. Okay? I appreciate everyone's time. And uh when those deputies come on, make sure everything is thoroughly said. They'll swear you to your statements and everything. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Good. Thank you. >> All right. No problem. >> Days after the incident, deputies returned to speak with Catherine about the altercation at the bus stop. She explained that she had hurried to the scene after learning her daughter was involved in an argument, believing she could step in and help de-escalate the situation. She then began explaining her side of the story. >> Hey Heather. All right, so obviously you know me. I'm Deputy Coma. >> Yeah, I tried calling you. >> Uh I've I've I've been off since Friday. So Friday, Saturday, Sunday I was off. Um I want to talk to you about Thursday's incident. So give me a brief explanation out of your point of view of what occurred on Thursday. >> Um >> afternoon. >> Like tell you from A to B. >> Yeah. >> thing. Okay, so I'm out shopping. I get a text. My daughter didn't have her phone cuz it got taken away. She texts me on someone and in my mind I'm like, okay, so I'm rushing to get back there just thinking in my in my mind I'm thinking you're going to see an adult there. Nothing's going to happen at all. Like I just thought me being present at least was going to de-escalate the situation. Um and it didn't. So. >> All right. So as Aubrey's coming off the bus, um you see her she's kind of shouting, correct? And then uh another kid comes off. What did you hear? Like did you hear any words exchanged between them or anything like that or >> uh >> Cuz they seem to be like actively verbally yelling at each other. >> Yeah, they were yelling at each other. It's all kind of like uh I'm still kind of like overwhelmed with all this, but um uh it was something like someone do you want to run with it or do you want to run I don't know whatever the term was meaning like fight. Do you want to run with it? I don't know my face. Um told me not to call her ghetto, but the way she was talking to my daughter was just ghettoish what I said. And I told her to just leave. I said that we're not doing this. And then they just started both going at it. >> Okay. >> So I was trying to protect my kid and if I wasn't there, I had two sisters against her. But, I wasn't planning on doing any of that. >> Okay. >> I just want to make that very clear. Like, I feel like [ __ ] I do. I feel terrible. I've never had any of this crap happening to me. >> Okay. Did you get physical with any of them, and at what point did when did you? >> Probably when I took her down to the ground. >> Okay. >> I told her to let go of me cuz she had my hair. >> Okay. And can you explain to me if you made any like physical contact, like a push, grab? >> I grabbed her. >> Okay. >> To get her off my kid. >> Okay. >> But, then after that, it was just honestly like a blur. Like, I've never fought before in my whole entire life. >> Like, approximate, like where did you grab her or push her or >> I mean, in the video, it looks like I grabbed her from like here. >> Okay. >> Just to And I didn't push her. >> Okay. >> I did I like I've seen the video. >> No, I'm just saying like some examples to throw out you just so you can >> I didn't want to I really like I really feel like like I feel absolutely like [ __ ] and it's really embarrassing on my part. Um I get it. I'm the adult, but I'm trying to make sure my kid was okay. >> Okay. >> Um I'm like stressed. >> Yeah. >> I'm stressed. Um Uh >> I mean, we're here to talk with you so you can >> Oh, I'm like I was freaking out the whole weekend. >> Yeah. >> I couldn't focus. I don't I don't even know what I should say right now. >> And if you do if you feel like you do not want to talk to us any further, you're more than welcome to do so. >> happen cuz it's like giving me like I'm about to have a mental breakdown. >> Right now, nothing's happening. We're just talking. So, if you feel like you don't want to >> still go to work, or do you want me to right now tell my work I can't go in right now cuz I'm in the process of getting ready. >> No, right now you're just saying I just want to know more about that. And like like you said, if you feel like you're not comfortable with talking to us right now, you like like in the Miranda warning said, you can stop talking to us at any point. >> I just want this done and over with. >> Okay. Okay. Um throughout the altercation Does that mean you do not want to talk to us any further? You're just saying you Okay. >> and I don't think I >> All right. Uh throughout the, you know, altercation, did at any point are you trying to pull Aubrey away from Katie and exit the fight and get in your car and get out of there? >> Yeah, I did that at the end. >> Okay. >> And then um after someone with the motorcycle helmet, I don't know if you've seen the video. >> Yeah. >> Um that's when I'm saying go, like get out, it's done and over with. Um that's when she came up to me and punched me in the face with the Stanley cup. I went to the hospital to get cat scans as well. Still it's can't like open my mouth all the way, but um >> but I didn't do I didn't In my mind, I felt like, "Okay, it's done and over with. Let's go." and then you see her grabbing it and she hits me right directly in my jaw and I didn't do anything after that. >> 100%. >> I I was just doing it because I was scared cuz I couldn't open my mouth. I couldn't even brush my teeth right. And I didn't want any blood clots. I didn't want any of that. Um I don't even have insurance. So now I'm in $3,000 deep now. Like I was calling you as well to press charges, but then I I don't know if I want to. I I want this to just be like I don't know. >> Look, you've been very forthcoming with us, so we're going to do the same for you. You've been You've been great with us. >> I just really really like I really don't want like anything to happen to me cuz I have I mean, the school already telling me I can't I might [snorts] not be able to drive my daughter to school and stuff. That's a little embarrassing and she's all I got. And I'm all she's got, so >> [snorts] >> this whole thing is >> Did you ever put your arm around her neck? >> Probably to take her down. I don't I really don't remember because it it it was so like >> [snorts] >> my adrenaline was like I didn't even think. All I know is I had kids screaming on the bus saying, "You're going to You got your ass beat by a teenager." And I was like freaking out and I was just not to anyone. This was at home. And I was telling Aubrey, my daughter, I was like, "I hope everyone realizes I'm 34. She's 17. I'm not going to fight her when I'm a lot stronger than this girl." >> Yeah. >> Um >> [snorts] >> so I pretty much had to take it to the face and everything and my hair pulled, but I I don't know. Nothing hurt at the at the time cuz I guess my I was so overwhelmed what like this was not what I was expecting at all. I thought an adult being there was going to de-escalate everything and it did not. She did not care. >> Um so we'll arrange for you to call at work. After we talk if you want to grab your phone and everything. Where is Oh, is that your phone right there? >> Do you have your ID on you? >> Yeah. >> Okay. You are you are going to go to jail today. Uh but not that this may or may not make you feel better, so is she. Um don't text or anything to anybody that yet because we want to get her to school and not have her leave because she might tell somebody. So, just don't tell your daughter anything. >> I just picked up a shift. I got a call home. >> what works with you with >> [clears throat] >> So I'll ask you some questions. >> Um >> Well, let me just try to give you our side so maybe it'll answer some of at for you. >> Okay. >> You're going to go to jail. You're going to be charged with some form of child abuse. Which is essentially the same as a fight, but because she's a minor they call it child abuse. >> So, am I going to be in jail for a while? >> I would say you'll probably be there until first appearance tomorrow morning. And they'll give you a bond, and then if you can make the bond, then you can >> How much is the bond? >> That is set by the judge in the morning. They look at it as a whole, the severity of the crime, all the circumstances of the crime. Um do you have somebody at home that can watch Is Aubrey going to be here by herself? >> Well, I got my boyfriend, but he'll be at work. >> You live with a family member or something? >> I don't have anyone. >> I know the last time you came to check on Aubrey, I think she was studying or something. >> Probably. Oh, yeah. >> In Ocala? >> One of you guys look familiar. >> How far is that? >> How far is what? >> Wasn't she at your dad's house? >> Oh, that's in Ocala. >> I knew she wasn't here cuz she was at my family member's. >> And she's like considered a caretaker to your dad, correct? >> Um no, he's getting better. >> Okay. I'm just recalling from not the last >> In this scenario, do you trust her alone? >> I don't know. I called the school just before to >> like you trust her to stay here and go to school and take care of herself. >> Well, I got my boyfriend here to be >> Okay. I just want to make sure you're comfortable with that if if that ends up being a scenario. There might be a scenario where you get a bond right away. Um sometimes you don't though, so I just want to make sure you think of everything. >> I I don't know what else to do. >> Well, um Do you want us to let her know? >> I know she's going to be heartbroken. >> I mean, I just I would almost rather tell her while she was in school with the school resource Stephanie and she can take as much time as she needs before she goes back to class. >> Yeah. I just felt like nauseous right now. >> I get it. >> Um >> Um look I know I'm kind of repeating what you said. It's embarrassing. You are the You are the adult. I have kids, but I've also never seen my kid actively in a fight. So, I I I would like to think that I would grab my kid and throw him in the car and leave and not the other kid. Um but I also was not there at the same time that she was. So, you're going to have to You know what I mean? You You You're going to have to explain that part on your own. Um but I am very attached to my kids and I I Who knows what would happen? >> I'm I'm very I'm very close to my kid and I thought I was just doing the right thing in protecting her. >> Got you. Um We also have to look at um the fact that this is [music] pretty much a school function. And I I think the kids got suspended on Friday for this fight. >> Mhm. >> So, we're looking at it also as a zero tolerance thing because this is the first week of school, not the second, and we've already had [snorts] a fight 4 days in. We're going to hopefully set a precedent that other kids can see and not go this route. Um It's just It should be a zero tolerance thing, especially especially with adults involved and especially at any type of school function. So, um But they are She's She's going to answer for what she did to you as well. We're We're going to go there after this. You want to grab Well, they're going to give you shoes. Do you want to grab some shoes? Are Are you okay if he goes in there with you while you get some shoes? >> Okay, can I lock up my dogs first? >> fine. >> Uh can I call Can I grab my phone, too? >> Um Are your dogs going to bite us? >> Uh I mean no, but like >> Here's Here's the thing. You're You're under arrest. >> I know. >> Um we're being nice and letting you go. >> I want to be >> We're also responsible for what happens once we let you go in there. >> I'm not going to do anything crazy. >> I don't I don't think you will, but we've uh we've been bitten before, so we're just >> No, uh I mean, I could There's three. >> Okay. >> There's two pitbulls. They're They're friendly, but like seeing guys, it's kind of in uniforms, I'm sure it's going to be too much. >> Okay. >> But and then there's >> at? >> Uh >> You have any in the car? >> No. Um >> want to just have whoever bails you out bring you some? >> No, I just Can I Can I grab sh- I got to lock up the dogs cuz they'd destroy the house. So, I don't I can quickly grab them if someone wants to watch them. >> at the front door, that's fine. >> Oh, okay. >> Let me ask you this before we go into the image, so any intro- introduction of any sort of weapon, as in like knives, uh explosive device, gun, or any sort of narcotic, or drug paraphernalia into the jail or zone there? >> Yeah. >> Obviously, we have and I've seen y'alls, so we can do take you know the uh search was arrested on your physical person. So, just letting you know that if you have that, I mean, I would not you can do >> I don't feel anything. >> Okay. Thank you. And for policy, I have to have you empty So, >> Following the investigation, Katherine Stefanopoulos was arrested and initially charged with felony child abuse. According to later reporting, the charge was subsequently reduced to misdemeanor battery after the case was transferred to county court. I could not verify a final conviction or sentencing outcome from the available reports. What do you think? Should a parent ever get physically involved in a fight between teenagers or should they always leave it to the authorities? Share your thoughts in the comments below and subscribe for more real body cam footage and crime case breakdowns.