Hello everyone, earlier this year I was out on my birthday with my family and children when I was attacked by a woman.

My son wasn’t feeling well, so I took him to the restroom. My phone had died, and I couldn’t find my family, so I kindly asked a woman if I could use her phone to call them. She agreed. My family didn’t answer at first. I asked if it was okay with her to call again, she said yes, but when I tried calling again, her mother suddenly snatched the phone out of my hand aggressively and told me I couldn’t use it. Her daughter apologized for her mom’s behavior, and I walked away with my son, not wanting to escalate things.

Later that same day, I ran into them again. I calmly told the mother I didn’t appreciate her putting her hands on me earlier. Before I could finish talking, she stood up, yelled and cussed at me, and pushed me. Before I could react, she grabbed me by my arms, and at that point, I had to defend myself.

I’m 5’3”. She was about 5’9”. The mall security guards didn’t intervene—they just watched. It took a random bystander and my brother-in-law to pull her off me. By then, I was laid out on the floor, with her on top of me. My whole family was traumatized, my kids crying, and my mother needing medical attention from the shock of it all.

When police arrived, I wanted to press charges. I told them what happened. They reviewed the footage, yet somehow, I was the one they arrested. And she did not receive any consequences for her actions. I spent the day of my birthday and the whole weekend in jail—from Friday through Sunday. When I was finally released, my kids cried when they saw me come home that Sunday.

After months of court dates and stress, the judge made it clear that I am not guilty and that the case will be dismissed. The judge also said she had no idea why I was even charged for this incident in the first place. My lawyer told me that once it’s finalized, it’ll be gone—I won’t even need an expungement.

Now, all that’s left is paying off the remaining lawyer fees and flights for last-minute court dates, which total around $4,000. Although the actual cost of this traumatizing experience is more than the $4,000, I don’t mind working hard to get back on my feet. The donations will be used to pay my lawyer and finally have this case closed. I’ve been working days and nights to make ends meet, but I could use some help to close this chapter and move forward in peace.

I’ve never had any legal issues before this. I’ve never been arrested, never been charged with anything, and have never been to jail. I’m a dedicated mother of three, a business owner, and someone who works hard to take care of my family. I would never go out looking for trouble or intentionally put myself or my children in harm’s way.

This experience—especially trying to de-escalate things with my children right there—has been terrifying, humiliating, and infuriating all at once.

If you feel called to support—by donating, sharing, or simply sending love and prayers—it would mean the world to me.

May God return every dollar, prayer, and act of kindness you give back to you tenfold.

Thank you for helping me stand strong, clear my name, and finally put this behind me.