A 43-year-old Cuban woman was taken into custody in Hialeah, Florida, after allegedly assaulting her two young children in a supermarket. Security cameras recorded her pulling their hair and ears, striking their faces, and even biting one child's right ear.
The woman, identified as Madelien Inurrieta-Martinez, a resident of Miami, has been charged with two counts of child abuse causing severe bodily harm, according to NBC Miami.
The incident unfolded at Fatty's Market, located at 893 Palm Avenue. Footage from both internal and external cameras captured the troubling events.
Children's Custody and Court Orders
The two children, approximately four and seven years old, are currently under the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). A court has ordered Inurrieta-Martinez to stay away from them during the legal proceedings.
Police reports, as cited by Local 10, detail how Inurrieta-Martinez entered the store with her children, sat on several beverage crates, and pulled the elder child's ears violently. She then grabbed his hair and yanked it hard, according to investigators.
Violence Captured Inside and Outside the Supermarket
The assault continued with the younger sibling, whom she also grabbed by the ears and bit on the right ear. Surveillance footage documented these actions, capturing the children's screams during the ordeal.
The violence extended beyond the supermarket. External cameras recorded the woman hitting both children in the face as they left the premises.
Lieutenant Eddie Rodriguez, spokesperson for Hialeah Police, described the footage as some of the most violent he had encountered, expressing shock at the children's cries of pain.
Supermarket Manager's Intervention
The case came to light when the supermarket manager, Fadi Malouf, reviewed the security tapes and notified the authorities. Malouf, who has spent two decades observing parental discipline in his store, told CBS Miami that he had never heard screams like those captured in this incident.
He dismissed the notion that the woman's actions could be considered disciplinary and questioned the children's safety when not in the presence of others.
Legal Proceedings and Immigration Hold
After the report, investigators reviewed the footage and began efforts to locate the suspect. Officers later found Inurrieta-Martinez near East First Avenue and 13th Street in Hialeah and arrested her.
She denied the allegations of assault, as reported by NBC Miami. During her court appearance, Judge Christina Miranda issued a no-contact order between Inurrieta-Martinez and her children. Her bail was set at $5,000.
The accused, who does not speak English, followed the court proceedings through an interpreter and pleaded not guilty. Photographs taken in custody showed visible bruises on her face, which she claimed resulted from trying to break up a fight unrelated to the case.
In addition to the criminal charges, Inurrieta-Martinez is subject to an immigration hold, which could impact her release even if she meets bail conditions. A Hialeah Police spokesperson clarified that officers did not investigate her immigration status and were not involved in imposing the hold.
Reports did not specify the administrative reasons for the hold or whether a deportation order exists.
Children Under State Protection
Following their mother's arrest, the children remain under Florida authorities' care. The police noted that the children have different fathers, with one reportedly outside the United States, complicating custody decisions.
Authorities have not publicly announced a final resolution regarding the children's custody. Univision broadcasted footage of the assaults and emphasized the judicial order preventing Inurrieta-Martinez from contacting her children.
As the legal process continues, Inurrieta-Martinez faces the two criminal charges relating to the supermarket assaults and the immigration hold noted in her detention records.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Hialeah Child Abuse Case
What charges is Madelien Inurrieta-Martinez facing?
She is charged with two counts of child abuse causing severe bodily harm.
Who is currently caring for the children?
The children are under the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).
What was the role of the supermarket manager in this case?
The manager discovered the assaults on security footage and reported them to the police.
What additional legal challenges does Inurrieta-Martinez face?
She is subject to an immigration hold, which could complicate her release from detention.