HOMESTEAD, FL — A Florida mother has been arrested after allegedly beating her daughter for being “disrespectful” and refusing to do chores, authorities said.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, 39-year-old Arieauna Hall faces one count of child abuse without great bodily harm following the incident that occurred Monday morning at the family’s home in Homestead.
Mother Allegedly Beat Daughter Over Chores
Police said Hall instructed her daughter and son—whose ages have not been released—to complete household chores. The girl was reportedly told to clean the bathroom, but an argument began when she refused to comply.
According to investigators, Hall began pushing her daughter and allegedly threatened to “cut her hands off.” The affidavit states Hall then hit her daughter with a belt inside the bathroom, prompting the girl to flee from the apartment and hide inside the family’s vehicle for safety.
Police: Beating Continued in the Vehicle
Authorities said the son noticed his sister was missing and informed their mother. Hall then found her daughter inside the car and continued to beat her, according to police. The girl screamed for help, which neighbors reportedly heard.
When Homestead police officers arrived, they found the child inside the bathroom, appearing “in emotional distress with visible signs of injury,” including redness, welts, and bruising on her arms, the affidavit states. The girl told officers that she “gets whooping[s] frequently.”
Mother Admitted to Hitting Daughter
During questioning, Hall allegedly admitted to striking her daughter, saying she was “upset” because the girl had been disrespectful and refused to clean the bathroom. She also accused her daughter of putting slime in the sink and said the child had a “history of running away” and misbehaving.
Police said Hall found her daughter hiding in the trunk of the family car before the second round of beating took place.
Arrest and Charges
Hall was arrested and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on $2,500 bond. Jail records show she was no longer listed as being in custody by Wednesday.
Authorities did not disclose whether the children were placed under protective supervision or if the Florida Department of Children and Families is investigating.
Ongoing Investigation
The case remains under review as officials determine the next steps in the child’s welfare and legal proceedings against Hall.
What do you think about this case? Should parents face jail time for using physical punishment as discipline? Share your thoughts in the comments.
