Custody drama explodes in a parking lot brawl—how to keep your cool when emotions run high.
What should have been a routine custody visit turned into a chaotic brawl in the Walmart parking lot Wednesday night, leaving a pregnant woman pepper-sprayed, her aunt in jail, and children caught in the middle of a family meltdown.
According to law enforcement, the fight broke out over a disagreement about court-ordered visitation. A woman showed up to pick up her two young kids—ages 3 and 4—for her scheduled unsupervised visit. But when she arrived, her aunt (who currently has custody) refused to hand over the children, allegedly saying they didn’t want to go, and her lawyer advised not to force them.
Words were exchanged. Tempers exploded. Then came the fists.
The pregnant mother says she turned to walk away, trying to avoid further conflict—but was blindsided when her aunt allegedly grabbed her by the hair and slammed her to the pavement, then punched her in the face multiple times. Her cousin tried to stop the assault, reportedly yelling, “Mom, stop! She’s pregnant!” to which the aunt chillingly replied: “Her face isn’t.”
The woman’s husband jumped into action, using pepper spray to break up the fight and protect his wife. Police later determined he acted in self-defense and did not press charges against him.
The aunt, however, was arrested for domestic violence and taken to the Lawrence County Jail. Her daughter called the children’s grandfather to pick up the kids.
👶💥 Co-Parenting or Custody Swap? Here’s How to Avoid Turning It Into a Family Fight Night:
- Stick to neutral locations – Choose safe, public places like a police station parking lot or supervised visitation center for hand-offs.
- Follow the court order – If it’s your day, it’s your day. If there’s a problem, don’t argue in public—call your attorney or the authorities.
- Don’t make it personal – Keep the focus on the children, not past grudges or hurt feelings.
- Record interactions calmly – If tensions tend to rise, it’s okay to record (visibly and legally) for your safety. Just don’t escalate the situation while doing it.
- Involve third parties if needed – Bring a neutral family member, mediator, or even law enforcement to keep the peace.
Bottom Line? Kids deserve stability, not screaming matches in store parking lots. Custody is tough—but no child wins when adults throw punches instead of finding peace.
