Four children narrowly escaped injury when a Florida woman allegedly swerved her car toward them as they played on a sidewalk outside an apartment complex in Cocoa, then later bragged about it to their mother and told police she was using the kids as "target practice."
Background
The incident occurred shortly before 7 p.m. June 7 at an apartment complex in the 800 block of Rosa L. Jones Drive in Cocoa, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit. Four children were playing on the sidewalk when Pamela Dresser, 59, allegedly drove her car toward them "causing all of them to run toward the house."
The children's mother was watching from nearby and witnessed the terrifying moment unfold. She yelled at Dresser, asking what she was doing. In response, Dresser allegedly shouted a racial epithet at the group.
After the children scattered to safety unharmed, their mother later confronted Dresser about her alleged actions. According to police, Dresser didn't deny it.
"Yes, I did try to run your f—ing children over," Dresser allegedly told the mother.
The Investigation
When officers arrived on scene, they found Dresser in a "highly agitated state." Police said she told them she was using the kids as "target practice" before later claiming the comment was a joke.
Dresser denied trying to hit the children, telling investigators she made a wide turn to avoid a cart on the side of the road. She claimed she then drove onto a gravel lot and performed a couple of "donuts" before parking in front of her apartment.
As officers were leaving the scene, Dresser allegedly made another alarming statement, warning them she was going to deliver a "special present" to them.
"That is a threat," she said, according to police.
The Charges
Dresser was arrested and booked into the Brevard County Jail. She faces one enhanced count of aggravated assault because investigators say she yelled a racial epithet at the children during the incident. She also faces four counts of child abuse without great bodily harm and two counts of threatening a public servant.
She remains held on $250,000 bond.
Key Takeaways
- Four children escaped injury after Dresser allegedly swerved her car toward them on a Cocoa apartment complex sidewalk
- Dresser allegedly admitted to the children's mother: "Yes, I did try to run your f—ing children over"
- She told police the children were "target practice," later claiming it was a joke
- An enhanced aggravated assault charge applies because of alleged racial slurs directed at the kids
What's Next
Dresser is scheduled to appear in court on July 2 for her first appearance hearing. The case remains under investigation by local authorities.