Image Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash
An 81-year-old woman in Ocala, Florida, is facing battery charges after a shocking incident involving the use of bear mace on two young Black children and their mother. Ada Anderson, the accused, was arrested on May 30 after allegedly spraying the highly potent chemical substance at her neighbors while yelling racial slurs.
April Morant, the children’s mother, moved into the neighborhood in Marion County in November with hopes of building a peaceful life for her family. But, according to her, their new neighbor Anderson was hostile from the very beginning. What began as verbal hostility escalated into a frightening act of aggression when Morant’s children—ages six and three—were playing with bubbles in their front yard.
Morant recalled the traumatic moment during an interview with WESH-2 News. “She approached the fence with something in her hand. I didn’t know what it was—my first thought was a gun,” Morant said. “Then she sprayed it. My kids were screaming. It got in their eyes, on their faces… it was horrifying.”
Bear mace is designed to stop charging wild animals like bears. It’s several times more powerful than standard pepper spray, and can cause intense pain, breathing difficulty, and even long-term respiratory damage—especially dangerous for children.
Racial Slurs and Ongoing Harassment
What makes the incident even more disturbing is the presence of explicit racial hatred. Morant shared video footage taken just after the attack that shows Anderson on her porch, glaring at her neighbor’s home. In another clip, she can be heard shouting the n-word and telling Morant and her family, “You’re not welcome in this neighborhood.”
These comments, coupled with the attack, led many—including Morant—to believe the event was racially motivated. “This wasn’t just a random act,” she said. “She used a weapon and screamed racial slurs. It was targeted hate.”
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Anderson was only charged with three counts of battery. Morant and many in the community feel this doesn’t reflect the true nature of the crime. “They didn’t charge her with anything related to hate,” she said. “This wasn’t just battery. She attacked children while yelling slurs.”
Morant also revealed that this wasn’t her first encounter with Anderson’s aggression. “I’ve called the police on her before,” she posted on Facebook. “But nothing ever came of it. I told them she was a danger. It took her attacking my babies for them to finally arrest her.”
Fear, Trauma, and the Need to Escape
The emotional and psychological toll of the incident has been overwhelming for Morant and her children. What should be their safe space—home—has now become a place of fear. The children are afraid to play outside, and Morant lives in constant dread of what could happen once Anderson is released.
“She’s 81, but that doesn’t mean she’s not dangerous,” Morant said. “Age doesn’t excuse hate or violence. What if next time it’s worse?”
Morant worries that Anderson, upon release, will return to her back porch and continue her intimidation. Given the ongoing threat, she’s launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $15,000 to relocate her family to a safer neighborhood.
The fundraiser’s description reads:
“Imagine your children screaming in pain because someone hates the color of their skin. Imagine the fear of knowing that person lives next door. We can’t stay here. I don’t want to wait for things to get even worse.”
The fundraiser has begun to gain traction, with support coming in from people who were moved by Morant’s story and the injustice she and her children have faced. Many believe she deserves the chance to raise her kids in a place free of fear, hostility, and racism.
Justice and Accountability in Question
The case has sparked widespread debate about how authorities handle racially motivated attacks—especially when the perpetrators are elderly or white. Many in the community are frustrated that Anderson wasn’t charged with a hate crime, even though the evidence seems clear.
“Hate doesn’t retire with age,” said one local activist. “What happened to this family is clearly fueled by racism, yet the system is hesitant to call it what it is.”
Under Florida law, crimes that are proven to be motivated by bias can be classified as hate crimes and carry harsher penalties. But in practice, these charges are rarely pursued—often due to the additional burden of proof or the perceived leniency given to elderly offenders.
“There’s a pattern of minimizing these attacks when they come from older white individuals,” the activist continued. “But racism is racism. And the victims, especially children, are the ones who suffer.”
Morant has been vocal about her desire for true accountability—not just for herself, but for the example it sets. “What message are we sending if someone can attack Black kids and walk away with a slap on the wrist?” she asked. “We teach our children to be kind, to respect others. But who’s teaching these adults that racism has consequences?”
Final Thoughts: A Family’s Plea for Peace
For April Morant and her children, the road to healing will be long. Their sense of security has been shattered, and the trauma of the event continues to ripple through their daily lives. But Morant remains determined to protect her children, and to move them somewhere they can simply exist without being targeted.
“I don’t want revenge,” she said. “I just want safety. I want peace. I want my girls to know they belong.”
As the legal process unfolds, the question remains: Will the system acknowledge the racial hatred behind the attack? Or will it continue to treat this as a minor altercation, ignoring the deeper wounds it represents?
In the meantime, Morant hopes her story can inspire awareness, action, and support. “We need to speak up. We need to stand together. No family should ever feel unsafe because of the color of their skin.
