Florida Grandmother, 73, Arrested After Slapping the 18-Year-Old Granddaughter Who Cursed at Her
Young woman tried to recant complaint but police unmoved.
May 3, 2010— -- The Colliers of Largo, Fla., have yet to recover from authorities' charging the 73-year-old family matriarch with domestic battery.
"Shocked," Theresa Collier said of her arrest. "I am so shocked after everything that happened. I wanted to crawl into a hole and die."
The trouble began last Tuesday when two officers from the Largo Police Department responded to a domestic violence call by Collier's granddaughter, Felicia Collier.
The young woman, 18, was visiting her grandmother's house to use the computer. She is finishing her senior year of studies online because she had been kicked out of Catholic school for cursing out a nun, Theresa Collier said.
"She didn't want to listen to me. She kept saying 'F-you,' and using the F-word about our family members," the elder Collier said. "I had enough of it. I was so upset that I got up and slapped her across the face. She grabbed my wrists and I couldn't move."
The young woman then called police to report the alleged incident.
"The next thing you know they are arresting me," Collier said. "We didn't know what was going on."
Felicia Collier tried many times to convince officers not to arrest her grandmother but to no avail, according to police.
"We have a mandatory arrest policy when dealing with domestic violence charges," Largo Police Lt. Mike Loux said. "Officers on the scene found probable cause for battery.
"All parties involved explained all parts of the battery that occurred and an admission was given. The circumstances of this being a granddaughter and grandmother are unfortunate."
Collier was released from the Pinellas County Jail Wednesday. Her granddaughter, who was unavailable for comment, appeared in court to sign a form waving the option to prosecute her grandmother.
The case has been referred to the Florida State Attorney's office, which has yet to comment on whether it will prosecute.
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