Arizona Mother Sentenced for Playground Incident
A mother in Arizona has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after driving her pickup truck through a crowded playground and running over a 12-year-old girl. The incident occurred in February 2024 at Westgreen Park in Peoria.
According to officials, 31-year-old Brandie Gotch arrived at the park to pick up her children during an altercation between them and other kids. The situation escalated when a boy on the playground called Gotch a name, prompting her to react aggressively. She pulled the boy by his hair and chased another boy with a stick. The second boy eventually moved away, standing by his sister.
Authorities allege that Gotch then backed out of the parking space, revved her engine, and drove directly at the boy and his sister. While the boy managed to jump out of the way, the truck ran over the girl’s leg. Gotch continued driving through the park, where over a dozen children were present, forcing some to run to safety.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell stated, “This could have been a much more tragic situation; thankfully the worst injury was a sprained ankle and some bad scrapes and bruises.” Mitchell emphasized the importance of adults maintaining control, saying, “Even when angry or frustrated, it’s up to adults to act like adults. It is never okay to take our rage out on a kid.”
Gotch pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated assault, classified as a class two dangerous felony. She will serve her 10-year prison sentence as per the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident highlights the need for responsible behavior in public spaces, especially when children are involved. The community has been left to grapple with the consequences of such actions and the importance of maintaining safety in public areas like playgrounds.
