A dispute over unwashed dishes and a dirty bathroom turned violent on Monday night, landing a Florida mother in jail on felony charges after police say she attacked her teenage son with household cleaning supplies and a broomstick.
Maria Carla Rodriguez, 37, was taken into custody by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office following the alleged assault at her family’s home. She now faces counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
According to an arrest report obtained by local outlets, the incident began around 9:20 p.m. when Rodriguez woke her son up, angry that he hadn’t completed his daily chores.
Investigators say Rodriguez ordered the teen to the kitchen to wash dishes. While he was at the sink, he reportedly dropped a fork. Police say Rodriguez grabbed the utensil and hurled it at his head, though the boy managed to duck and avoid being struck.
The situation allegedly escalated moments later when Rodriguez picked up a broomstick. The arrest report details that she began striking her son, leaving visible bruising across his chest and arms.
After the altercation in the kitchen, Rodriguez reportedly ordered the boy to scrub the toilet. While he was in the bathroom, police say she sprayed a chemical cleaning product directly into his face. Authorities noted the victim’s eyes were red, swollen, and irritated when they arrived on the scene.
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It remains unclear who contacted emergency services.
When questioned by officers, Rodriguez denied the physical abuse. She told investigators that she and her son had argued about his chores and his desire to spend time with friends, but claimed she had no knowledge of how he sustained the bruises or the eye irritation.
Rodriguez was booked into jail Monday night. As of the latest update, a bond amount had not yet been set.
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