Full Breakdown
Florida Couple Charged After Assaulting Mother Over Child Discipline in Davie Parking Lot
5/16/2026, 6:36:57 AM
Incident Summary
In a Davie parking lot, a mother disciplined her 4-year-old son after he spat in her face by striking him on the mouth and torso. Terry Williams, 66, approached, claimed employment with the Florida Department of Children and Families, and objected to the discipline. His wife, Mary Williams, 63, positioned herself between the mother and her son, prevented the vehicle from moving, turned off the ignition, and removed the keys. Both Williamses then scratched, choked, and pulled the mother’s shirt, leaving her with throat scratches, a lower-lip cut, and her scrub shirt torn, exposing her torso. Terry was charged with battery; Mary faced battery and burglary charges. Bail was set at $2,500 for Terry and $5,000 for Mary.
Background & Context
Terry Williams told the mother he worked for the Florida Department of Children and Families and warned that she could not yell at or hit her child. The mother reported that she asked the couple to leave before the confrontation escalated.
Data & Statistics
The mother sustained multiple throat scratches, a cut on her lower lip, and loss of her scrub shirt, leaving her in a bra. Terry Williams posted $2,500 bail; Mary Williams posted $5,000 bail.
Official Law-Enforcement Response
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office documented throat scratches, a lip cut, and that the couple ripped the mother’s scrub shirt, leaving her in a bra. Both Williamses were arrested; Terry was released on $2,500 bail, Mary remained detained on $5,000 bail. No plea or counsel information has been released.
Witness Criticism & Opposition
A witness said the couple aggressively seized the mother and tore her scrub shirt, describing the encounter as an attack. The witness also observed that the mother was struggling as the shirt was pulled off. A second observer labeled the pair “bad Samaritans.”
Conflicting Accounts
Terry Williams told local reporters that the incident was “interesting” and later asserted that nothing had occurred, contradicting the mother’s statement, the police report, and witness accounts.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Wow, really? That’s interesting,” — Terry Williams, Husband
- “Nothing,” — Terry Williams, Husband
- “They were on both sides and they were just grabbing her and they were ripping the scrub shirt off of her,” — Unnamed witness
- “She was struggling and that’s why her scrub shirt was being torn off of her.” — Unnamed witness
Upcoming Legal Proceedings
Both Williamses remain under court supervision. Mary stays detained pending further hearings; Terry is free on bail. The case is slated to proceed through Broward County criminal court.
