MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – A woman whose daughter attends Miami Carol City Senior High School in Miami Gardens was arrested Tuesday, a day after she attacked a teenager in the school's parking lot during dismissal, police said.
According to an arrest report, the victim was on her iPhone 6 when she was attacked by Ernstlatta LaFrance, 30, who repeatedly punched the victim in the face and pulled her hair.
Police said the victim dropped her cellphone and LaFrance picked it up and drove away.
The victim, who told police that LaFrance was upset about an altercation involving the victim's sister and LaFrance's daughter, said she drove to LaFrance's home in Opa-locka to confront her about taking the phone.
When the victim pulled up to LaFrance's home in the 2200 block of Northwest 136th Terrace, LaFrance struck the victim's right hand with a stick, breaking the girl's middle finger, the report said.
Police said someone who was at LaFrance's home fired two shots but didn't strike anyone.
According to the arrest report, LaFrance posted about the fight on Facebook and "warned those messing with her daughter to beware."
Police said LaFrance bragged about beating up the victim and said two black eyes was not the end of it and she would use a gun next time.
The victim was taken to Pembroke Pines Urgent Care to be treated for her injuries.
According to a Facebook page appearing to belong to LaFrance's daughter, LaFrance was outraged after her daughter was jumped by a group of girls.
"Ian (sic) arguing with nobody!!! Cause if yo child got jumped and maced by like 20 girls u will do the same," the post read.
Another Facebook post from a man who appeared to be the girl's father was apologetic about the incident.
"Pray for my daughter and her mother for the wrong decision they made yesterday," he posted on Tuesday. "No one is perfect. The worst done happen, now pray for the best. God know(s) how to handle this. I would like to apologize to (the) girl's family."
Police said LaFrance refused to open the door for a detective on the day of the fight when he tried to interview her.
She surrendered to authorities the next day and was taken to the Miami-Dade Schools Police Investigative Division before she was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
"This type of behavior and conduct -- an adult violently battering a minor -- is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at our schools," Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Ian Moffett said in a statement. "We thank the community and all those who provided valuable information, making it possible for our detectives to take the adult into custody and face the criminal justice system. This unfortunate incident reminds us that it is important for parents and adults to model the type of behavior we want to see in our children."
LaFrance appeared in court Wednesday, where she was ordered held in lieu of a $7,500 bond. She was also issued a stay-away order for the victim.
"You need to stay away from Carol City High School unless you are with your child at a school event," the judge told LaFrance.
LaFrance faces charges of burglary with assault or battery, strong-arm robbery and child abuse.