[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 10/07/20]
LADY LAKE, Florida — A woman who was described as “severely intoxicated” by her boyfriend has pleaded not guilty to battering him, abusing a child and depriving that child the use of 911, according to Lake County Clerk of Court online records.
Lady Lake Police responded to a 9-1-1 disconnect and domestic disturbance in the early morning hours of Sept. 27, according to an arrest affidavit. The adult male victim told police Brittany Nicole Malone, 38, was “severely intoxicated” and had been physically aggressive towards him and an unnamed child. Identifying information about the child, including his age, is redacted from the affidavit.
Both victims told police Malone, drunk, came downstairs into the living room and sat on top of the child. The child asked Malone to stop because she was hurting him and said if she did not get off him, he would call 9-1-1, the affidavit states.
Malone is alleged to have wrapped her legs around the child’s legs while placing him in a rear neck chokehold using her arms, and the child broke free from Malone and attempted to call for help. Malone pulled the phone from the child’s hand, walked into the kitchen and threw the phone at the boy, striking him in the head, according to the affidavit; Malone threw a large remote at her boyfriend, also striking him in the head. Malone then “lunged” at the child and placed him in a rear chokehold once again, resulting in multiple bruises and scratches on the boy’s torso, arms, shoulders and face, the affidavit states.
Malone was taken into custody and cried and screamed on the way to jail, the arresting officer noted in the affidavit. She was released from the Lake County Jail on $13,000 bond and pleaded not guilty to charges of child abuse, domestic battery and deprivation of 9-1-1 on Sept. 30. She is represented by Andrew Colando of Tavares.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
