A Columbia County woman is facing charges after she allegedly kicked a 7-year-old boy into a public pool.
Amanda Rodriguez, 30, of Grovetown was at the neighborhood pool on Chastain Drive on May 24 when witnesses said she got up from her chair, walked to the edge of the pool and kicked the boy into the water.
The incident came to light when the boy’s father, Jordon Cole, also of Grovetown, called the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the incident report, the 7-year-old was sitting on the ladder at one end of the pool. Witnesses described a woman with long, brown hair and a peach tattoo who had been “drinking heavily and behaving belligerently” stand up, walk over to the boy and kick him in the back, pushing him into the pool.
An 8-year-old friend of the victim also described the incident. He said when the woman saw him staring at her, she said, “What are you looking at? I’ll kick your ass, too.”
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Based on witness descriptions and using data from the pool’s key fob entry system, deputies were able to identify Rodriguez. Pool security cameras captured her getting up from her chair and kicking the boy into the pool.
A deputy went to her home several hours after the incident. When she came to the door, he reported smelling alcohol. When asked why she had kicked the boy into the pool, he said Rodriguez shrugged and said, “I thought it was funny.”
In the incident report, the deputy writes Rodriguez told him she did not know the boy and it had been a random act for her own entertainment. The deputy said she was unremorseful and never mentioned a desire to apologize to the 7-year-old.
Information on the report says Rodriguez is a nurse, employed Doctors Hospital.
Director of Communications Kaden Jacobs said Rodriguez is no longer employed at Doctors Hospital.
“Her official last day of employment was June 1, but her last day worked was May 27,” he said. They were unaware of the arrest prior to her leaving the hospital.
Major Steve Morris of the sheriff’s office said Rodriguez was charged with simple battery, a misdemeanor. He said no court date had been set.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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