A Florida teenager has been arrested after authorities say she struck her mother with a pork chop during a domestic dispute in Jensen Beach.
The incident occurred on January 22, when a deputy with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence following reports of a verbal argument between a teenager and her mother, according to a police report.
Investigators identified the teen as 18-year-old Farrah Kernan. The report states that Kernan had been drinking alcohol earlier in the day before the argument escalated inside the home.
Deputy says video showed slap and food residue supported claim
According to the filing, Kernan’s mother, Cynthia Ann Kernan, told the responding deputy that her daughter struck her in the face with her right hand. She also said a friend who was present at the residence recorded video of the moment, which she later provided to authorities.
The deputy wrote that the video “clearly shows Farrah Kernan striking Cynthia Kernan in the face with her right hand, causing Cynthia to recoil backward,” and noted that the clip ended immediately after the strike.
Cynthia also told investigators that before the video was recorded, her daughter had thrown a pork chop at her. The deputy reported observing “food residue” on Cynthia’s left shoulder that he said was consistent with her statement.
When the deputy spoke with Farrah Kernan, she allegedly “appeared confused and provided statements that were inconsistent with the evidence and not related to the battery.” Authorities said she later became emotional, began screaming and crying, and continued to act uncooperatively.
Based on the video footage, physical evidence, and statements gathered at the scene, the deputy said there was probable cause to charge Kernan with Domestic Battery. She was taken into custody and transported to the Martin County Jail without further incident.
