Woman arrested in Fort Myers, accused of child abuse, threatening to set father of child on fire

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

A woman was arrested after being accused of child abuse and threatening to set the father of her child on fire.

According to the Fort Myers Police Department, officers responded in the early morning hours of Dec. 25 after an individual reported concerning texts and videos they received from Krysten Happel, 36.

According to FMPD, the individual received text messages from Happel, one of which was a video of Happel verbally and physically assaulting her child.

In the video, Happel was shown battering the child by forcefully tapping and nudging them. Officers noted that due to the child's young age, their cranial bones and brain are extremely vulnerable to injury.

Happel was also shown throwing a blanket over the child's entire face while telling the child, "Get your ugly [expletive] out of here," FMPD said.

This was followed by Happel saying, "Someone come get this demonized child that came from [expletive]," FMPD said.

Happel also sent a text threatening to set the father of her child on fire, stating she wanted to kill him with her bare hands, FMPD said.

While investigating Happel, officers found that she was a wanted person in Georgia for failure to appear in court.

Officers located Happel and her child, and Happel was placed under arrest. At the time of Happel's arrest, officers noted that her child was soaked in their own urine, FMPD said.

Happel faces charges of child abuse without great bodily harm and an out-of-state warrant.

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