Police say a group of kids playing on a Cocoa sidewalk had a car veer toward them Friday, and the driver later brushed it off as "target practice," according to a criminal affidavit. Officers say the woman behind the wheel also hurled racial slurs and threatened the officers who showed up.
Police: Car Veered Toward Kids, Driver Called It 'Target Practice'
Investigators identified the driver as 59-year-old Pamela Dresser of Cocoa. The affidavit says she "swerved" her vehicle toward four children who were playing and then referred to what she did as "target practice," according to FOX 35 Orlando.
Dresser denied trying to hit the children, telling officers she made a wide turn to avoid a cart, drove into a gravel lot, and did "donuts," the affidavit states. She did admit making the "target practice" remark and told police it was a joke, according to FOX 35 Orlando.
Affidavit: Racial Slurs, Threats Toward Officers
The affidavit also reports that Dresser used racial slurs toward bystanders and threatened the officers who responded, language that investigators cited when pursuing charges. She was arrested and booked into the Brevard County Jail and faces allegations that include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse, and corruption by threat against a public servant, per FOX 35 Orlando.
How Florida Law Treats the Alleged Crimes
Under Florida law, aggravated assault "with a deadly weapon" can include using any object or instrument in a way likely to cause serious injury. State law defines aggravated assault as an assault with a deadly weapon or with intent to commit a felony. See Florida's aggravated assault statute.
Corruption by threat against a public servant involves threats meant to influence or intimidate officers, while child-abuse statutes cover acts or omissions that intentionally or recklessly put a child's physical or mental well-being at risk. See Florida Statutes §838.021 and §827.03 on child abuse.
The case remains under investigation, and prosecutors will decide whether to formally file charges as court proceedings move forward. FOX 35 Orlando reviewed Brevard County court documents in its reporting.
