Mother Charged With Child Abuse After Driving Her Car With Angry 13-Year-Old Son Clinging To Car Roof

Cars are not toys. They are fast, heavy, and large pieces of machinery which, when not handled with care, can cause death and serious personal injury. Each year, nearly 1.3 million people are killed in roadway crashes. Millions more are injured. Many of these accidents are entirely avoidable. Too often, car accidents are caused by carelessness, driver aggression, or texting and driving. Ultimately, each time people drive, they are taking their own lives, and the lives of others, into their hands.

A 32-year-old mother of four, Bridget Garcia, was arrested last month and charged with child abuse after she allegedly drove her vehicle with her 13-year-old son clinging to the car roof. According to the Huffington Post, the Florida mother had just disciplined her 13-year-old son by taking away his cell phone. Although a common method of reprimanding disobedient teenagers in the modern technological world, her son was especially upset by the punishment.

Moments later, Garcia began putting her other three children into her car to leave for the day. Once they were settled, she prepared to pull out of the driveway. At that same moment, her angry son leaped onto the hood of her vehicle. According to police, Garcia maneuvered her vehicle in reverse for approximately 200 feet, put the car in drive, and then continued on the road for another 200 feet before coming to a halt. When she stopped, her son was flung off the hood of the car.

Garcia’s son was hospitalized with injuries to his hip, foot, and right knee. She was taken to the police station where she was charged with child abuse. Still, Garcia told the Huffington Post that she really is a good mom. She says that she takes care of her kids, and is doing the best she can for her kids every day, despite being a single mom.