Elderly Ocala Woman Arrested for Using Bear Mace on Playing Children

Ocala, Florida, USA - In a startling incident that has left the Ocala community reeling, an 81-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly unleashing bear spray on her neighbor’s two children while they were blowing bubbles in their driveway. Ada Anderson is facing serious charges after allegedly directing the spray not only at the children, aged 3 and 6, but also at their mother, April Morant, while hurling racial slurs at them.

The evening of May 30, 2025, took a shocking turn as the playful bubble blowing morphed into a frightening encounter. Witnesses report that Anderson approached the fence separating their properties and released the spray, causing pain for Morant and her children. The 6-year-old even claimed, “It made my nose hurt,” a sentiment echoed by their mother who indicated that the bear spray had affected their lungs as well. As noted in Newsweek, Officer Wesley Kenny found an orange/brown substance on the fence, identifying it as pepper spray, and confirmed that it had caused irritation to their noses and throats.

Neighborly Disputes Escalate

The alleged attack is not an isolated incident, as Morant had evidence of past racial slurs from Anderson documented on video. Reports indicate that this isn’t the first complaint against Anderson related to her interactions with neighbors. With a history of arrests for aggravated assault in 2019 and stalking in 2017, it seems that the tensions in this neighborhood may run deeper than just a dispute over noise.

Anderson’s defense suggests that the children were running and yelling at her, leading her to feel threatened enough to spray them from her front porch—nearly 40 feet away from the children. However, locals are left questioning her reasoning. As Law & Crime points out, the implications of such actions can be severe, particularly when involving children.

The Psychological Impact of Violence

Beyond the immediate physical harm, physicians warn that the use of pepper spray on children can lead to lasting psychological, neurological, and physical effects. A study published in the National Institutes of Health indicates that caregivers living in high-violence neighborhoods often alter their child-rearing strategies significantly, limiting activities due to safety concerns. This could lead to children experiencing fear and trauma, particularly in a community where events like this are not uncommon. It raises the question: how does such violence impact the families living in our neighborhoods?

Despite this backdrop of fear, the incident has sparked discussions about the nature of community, safety, and trust in neighborly relations. Morant is now seeking a restraining order against Anderson, and with the charges of three counts of second-degree battery, the legal battles are just beginning. Anderson, released on a $6,000 bond, is due back in court on July 1 to face her charges.

The Ocala community now finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the complexities of trust, safety, and the shocking reality that a day of innocent play could lead down such a troubling path. It’s a stark reminder of the delicate balance between neighborly love and conflict, underscoring the need for better communication and understanding in our communities.