Man Arrested For Allegedly Strangling GF’s Child At Disney World

A Walt Disney World vacation turned into a nightmare after a Georgia man was arrested for allegedly strangling his girlfriend’s young daughter at the Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.

36-year-old Patrick Young, of St. Marys, Georgia, was charged with child abuse and battery by strangulation, both third-degree felonies, after the horrifying incident unfolded on April 2 at Disney World.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, which was obtained by WDWNT, the situation escalated after a day of drinking. Young, who had been living with his girlfriend for about a year, allegedly claimed he was just “playing around” with the child. But the girl told a much different story.

“I’m not positive what started it, but he grabbed me around my neck and started choking me with his forearm,” the child recounted. “First, I thought he was joking, but then I started actually being unable to breathe.”

The terrifying encounter lasted 10 to 15 seconds, with the girl’s mother witnessing her daughter’s face turning blue. Despite her frantic screams for him to stop, Young reportedly held on until the child tapped his arm, then finally let go.

“I dropped to the ground and started crying and gasping for air because I could not breathe at all. I moved away and he tried to pull me back,” the young girl added.

Rather than apologizing, Young allegedly lashed out when confronted, calling their emotional reaction a “liberal f-cking [expletive]” response, the arrest report said.

“He started to become irate and saying he didn’t understand why everyone was so upset,” the child’s mother told deputies. “When I told him because she couldn’t breathe and was crying, he said, ‘That sounds like a liberal f-cking [expletive]!’ I told the girls to grab their things, and we would go.”

The young girl backed up her mother’s account, saying, “My mom was trying to defend me, and he yelled that my mom trying to defend me is a ‘liberal f-cking [expletive] response.’ My mom told us to get our stuff and he started yelling at everyone about literally anything and everything he could.”

The mother immediately called 911, and Florida’s Department of Children and Families was notified.

Deputies noted that while there were no visible bruises or marks on the child’s neck, she had clear signs of distress, including puffy cheeks from crying.

Young later told deputies he thought they were just “wrestling” and claimed he didn’t realize there was a problem until his girlfriend screamed and called the police.

Guests are expected to adhere to a clear set of guidelines while visiting the parks. Some of the major prohibitions include:

Weapons: Firearms, ammunition, knives, and any other type of weapon are strictly forbidden on Disney property.Self-Defense Devices: Items such as pepper spray and similar protective devices are also banned.Illegal Substances: The possession or use of illegal substances, including marijuana, is prohibited.Aggressive Behavior: Any threatening, violent, or harmful actions toward other guests or Cast Members are not tolerated.Operational Interference: Behavior that disrupts the park’s operation or diminishes the experience for others can result in removal.Inappropriate Attire: Clothing that is offensive, violent, or obstructive in nature is not permitted inside the parks.

Disney takes violations of its rules seriously and outlines several consequences for those who fail to comply:

Removal from the Park: Guests who break the rules may be asked to leave the park immediately and, in some cases, could face a permanent ban from all Disney properties.Legal Action: If a guest is found in possession of a weapon or commits a crime, local law enforcement may be called to intervene.Financial Penalties: Guests removed from the parks for rule violations may not be eligible for ticket or resort stay refunds.

Walt Disney World’s policies are designed to maintain a safe, magical environment where guests can focus on making memories, not worrying about their safety. By following these rules, visitors help ensure that the “Most Magical Place on Earth” stays that way for everyone.

However, for Young, instead of enjoying magical memories, he is facing serious legal trouble, and the vacation ended in a way no family could have ever imagined.

Young has pleaded not guilty.