Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash
In the quiet suburban streets of Ocala, Florida, what should have been a routine, sunny afternoon for one young family turned into a harrowing experience of racial hostility and violence. An 81-year-old woman, Ada Anderson, now faces criminal charges after allegedly spraying bear mace on two Black children and their mother, an act many are calling racially motivated and traumatic.
The incident occurred on May 30 in Marion County and involved April Morant and her two daughters, ages six and three. According to Morant, Anderson had been a hostile presence in the neighborhood since the day her family moved in. The tension reportedly escalated over time, culminating in a disturbing physical confrontation that has left emotional and psychological scars.
“My kids were just outside playing with bubbles,” Morant told WESH-2 News. “They weren’t doing anything wrong. They were just being kids. And suddenly, this woman came to the fence with something in her hand and sprayed us. I didn’t know what it was at first—I thought it might be a gun. But then I realized it was bear spray. It hit us instantly.”
Bear spray is a highly concentrated form of pepper spray meant to deter large wildlife like bears. It’s many times more potent than the pepper sprays sold for self-defense, and its effects on children can be severe—causing intense burning, temporary blindness, respiratory issues, and deep emotional trauma.
What followed the chemical attack was no less horrifying. As Morant scrambled to protect her daughters, she heard Anderson shout racial slurs that confirmed the attack was not just random aggression, but a targeted act of hate. The scene quickly spiraled into a nightmare, with Morant’s children screaming in pain and fear.
A Pattern of Harassment Ignored
The attack was not an isolated incident. According to Morant, Anderson had been hostile from the moment she and her children arrived in the neighborhood. “She gave us dirty looks. She made comments. I tried to ignore her, hoping it would stop. But it just got worse,” Morant wrote in a now-viral Facebook post.
What’s even more disturbing is that Morant had previously reached out to law enforcement about Anderson’s behavior. “I called the police before this happened,” she shared. “I told them something felt wrong. That this woman didn’t want us here. But they did nothing. It wasn’t taken seriously.”
Unfortunately, this lack of early intervention may have emboldened Anderson. According to video recordings taken by Morant after the incident, Anderson was seen sitting on her porch, staring into her neighbor’s yard. In a separate clip, she was caught on camera shouting, “You’re not welcome in this neighborhood, you fking ngers.”
The videos quickly gained traction on social media, fueling public outrage. People were shocked not only by the violence of the attack but also by the blatant racism captured on video. Despite this, the charges against Anderson were limited to three counts of battery. No hate crime enhancements were applied—an omission many, including civil rights advocates, consider deeply troubling.
“This isn’t just about someone losing their temper,” said a representative from a local advocacy group. “This was racially motivated. There’s video evidence, eyewitness accounts, and a pattern of hostility. It meets the criteria for a hate crime, and yet it’s being treated like a minor scuffle.”
For Morant, the legal system’s response has been almost as painful as the attack itself. “They’re treating it like it’s just a simple battery charge,” she said. “But my kids were attacked with a weapon. And that weapon was used while she was screaming racial slurs. If that’s not hate, then what is?”
Trapped in Fear, Searching for Safety
In the wake of the assault, Morant and her daughters are now dealing with the psychological aftermath. The family no longer feels safe in their home. What was once meant to be a peaceful space for growth and childhood now feels like a prison lined with fear.
“My daughters don’t want to go outside anymore,” Morant said. “They cry when I suggest going out to play. That backyard used to be their favorite place, and now it’s the scene of a nightmare.”
Morant says that Anderson’s age doesn’t diminish the danger she poses. “People keep saying, ‘She’s 81, maybe she’s confused, maybe she’s just old.’ But hate doesn’t come with an expiration date,” she said. “She knew what she was doing. She didn’t just spray bear mace by accident—she aimed it. She spoke clearly. That’s not confusion. That’s calculated.”
The fundraiser has resonated with people across the country. Messages of support and donations have been pouring in from those who believe that no family should have to endure such hate simply for existing. Many donors have commented on the post, expressing their outrage and offering words of encouragement to Morant and her children.
A Call for True Accountability
The case has become a flashpoint in ongoing national conversations about racial justice and how the legal system handles racially motivated crimes—especially when the perpetrator is white and elderly. Advocates and supporters of the Morant family are calling for prosecutors to revisit the case and add hate crime charges, which could carry more severe penalties and reflect the true nature of the incident.
“There’s a disturbing trend of minimizing racist attacks, especially when older white people are involved,” said one activist. “We see it time and time again—people dismissing these acts as harmless or unintentional. But there’s nothing harmless about spraying bear mace on children.”
Florida law does allow for hate crime enhancements, meaning a basic charge like battery can be elevated if the crime was motivated by race, ethnicity, religion, or other protected categories. But proving intent often requires additional effort, and many prosecutors hesitate to pursue those charges unless they are absolutely certain they can win in court.
Still, for Morant, the lack of hate crime designation feels like a betrayal. “What else do they need?” she asked. “There’s video. There’s audio. There are witnesses. If this doesn’t qualify as a hate crime, then what does?”
Legal experts have echoed her frustration, pointing out that the burden of proof for hate crime charges often leads to under-enforcement. “It’s not that the law doesn’t exist,” one Florida-based lawyer explained. “It’s that the will to use it isn’t always there.”
As the case develops, public pressure continues to mount. Social media users, journalists, and civil rights groups have all weighed in, demanding that the judicial system treat this incident with the gravity it deserves.
Final Thoughts: A Mother’s Resolve
As of now, Anderson remains charged only with battery and is expected to face trial in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Morant continues her fight—not just for justice, but for safety and peace of mind.
“I never thought I’d have to teach my kids what to do if someone tries to hurt them because of their skin color,” Morant said. “But here we are. I’m trying to stay strong for them, but it’s hard. I’m scared every day that woman will come back. That next time, it won’t be bear spray—it’ll be worse.”
Despite the fear, Morant remains fiercely protective of her children and committed to finding a safer place for them to grow up. She says the love and support from strangers has given her strength during this dark time.
“People have been so kind. The messages, the donations—it means everything,” she said. “It reminds me that there is still good in the world. I just want to find a place where that good is the norm, not the exception.”
For those wishing to support Morant’s family, the GoFundMe page remains active. Every donation brings the family closer to leaving behind an environment of fear and stepping into one of safety and hope.
