Hialeah woman accused of attacking tenant over parking space as victim was holding baby

Maribel Escandell-Lopez, (MDCR)

HIALEAH, Fla. — A 53-year-old Hialeah woman was arrested Sunday on charges of aggravated child abuse and battery after authorities said she attacked a tenant while the woman held her 11-month-old baby.

The incident occurred around 10 a.m. near East 25th Street.

According to an arrest report, Maribel Escandell-Lopez, the property owner, became involved in a dispute over a parking space and struck the tenant while the baby was in the victim’s arms.

Authorities say Escandell-Lopez, who appeared highly intoxicated, yelled at Iglesia Hernandez and kicked her in the stomach while Hernandez was carrying the baby.

They said other tenants intervened to separate the two women.

During the scuffle, the baby suffered a right elbow injury and was taken to Nicklaus Children’s Urgent Care for treatment, the report stated.

Hialeah police officers who responded to the scene said that Escandell-Lopez slurred her words, swayed while standing, and made incoherent statements.

When asked about the incident, police said she repeatedly denied that anything happened.

They said Escandell-Lopez was read her Miranda rights in Spanish and taken into custody without incident.

As of Monday morning, she was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where her bond was listed as “to be set.”

Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About The Author
Ryan Mackey

Ryan Mackey

Ryan Mackey is a Digital Journalist at WPLG. He was born on Long Island, New York, and has lived in Sunrise, Florida since 1994.