A Cuban mother in Florida has been taken into custody after allegedly threatening to abduct her eight-month-old daughter from the foster home where she's staying, and setting the house on fire if her demands were not met. Hany Matozes More, 38, was apprehended on Thursday for making written or electronic threats to kill, inflict bodily harm, or carry out a mass shooting or act of terrorism.
The foster family caring for the child resides in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, and reported several incidents, including receiving an audio message via WhatsApp containing the threats. The foster mother recounted that on New Year's Eve, More visited the daycare, and when informed she could not be there, she insisted she merely wanted to see her daughter.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO), on January 23, More attempted to take the child from the daycare but was stopped. She later posted a video on her Instagram account questioning the authorities' decision to remove her custody rights.
The arrest report, accessed by CBS, reveals that a week later, the foster mother discovered a hole in the daycare's fence and a tracking device hidden in a teddy bear that More had gifted the girl. The following day, More returned to the daycare with a butane torch and a fire extinguisher, approaching the foster mother. A security guard intervened, leading to her departure. Two backpacks containing flammable materials, along with More's identification card, were found near the daycare.
Since last year, Hany Matozes More has been striving to regain custody of her daughter, Cataleya de la Caridad. She has posted numerous messages on social media claiming to be a victim of injustice.
Back in August, More was arrested for vandalizing property while holding her then two-month-old baby. She faced charges of child abuse and neglect, criminal damage, and resisting arrest. Police reported that she arrived at a house after 11:30 p.m. and began banging on the door with a heavy object.
The arrest report detailed that she was "violently shaking" the baby held under her arms, causing the child's head to move "rapidly" side to side, which "could have caused significant harm." The police noted, according to Local 10, that "she held the baby in a headlock-like grip, causing the baby's body weight to rest on her head and neck."
More caused damage to a motorcycle, a car, and the victim's house, all while holding the baby. "When officers arrived, the accused was still holding the baby carelessly, nearly dropping her several times. The baby was crying hysterically and appeared terrified," the report stated. Fortunately, the child did not suffer serious injuries.
Matozes More was arrested, and her bail was set at $8,000.
Legal Consequences and Child Custody Issues in Florida
What charges were brought against Hany Matozes More?
Hany Matozes More faced charges of making threats to kill or cause bodily harm, child abuse and neglect, criminal damage, and resisting arrest.
What actions did Hany Matozes More allegedly take at the daycare?
She allegedly attempted to remove her daughter from the daycare, planted a tracking device in a gift, and later approached the daycare with flammable materials.
How did the authorities respond to More's actions?
Authorities arrested More, intervened during her attempts at the daycare, and set her bail at $8,000.