Photo: Flagler County Sheriff's Office
A Florida mother was arrested after she allegedly helped her son and another boy beat up one of their classmates. Authorities said that the victim was sitting with some friends near the sports complex at Indian Trails Middle School in Palm Coast when he was jumped by two boys.
The victim was pushed to the ground and tried to fight back but told police the mother of one of the boys held him down as they continued to assault him.
Authorities identified the mother as Ashley Ruffin, 30, and took her into custody. She was taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and charged with child abuse and battery. Officials said that the two boys who were involved in the fight could also face charges.
Authorities did not say if the victim was injured during the fight.
"There is zero excuse for an adult, especially a parent, to be physically involved in a juvenile dispute," Flager County Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement. "Kids need to have leadership from their parents and taught how to handle disputes properly."
Ruffin denied the charges in a video on Facebook. She claims that she was trying to break up the fight and pull her son away from the scuffle.