BUNNELL, Fla. – A bus stop fight between two high school students took an unexpected turn when one of their mothers allegedly intervened, turning a teenage struggle over a summer disagreement into an all-out free-for-all.
According to an arrest affidavit from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, it all happened at 3:30 p.m. on August 14 when students from Flagler-Palm Coast High School were getting off the bus at Mahogany Boulevard and Honeytree Street in Bunnell.
Deputies stated two adolescent girls got off the bus and decided to fight each other. According to the affidavit, the girls were no longer friends due to a disagreement that occurred during the summer.
“One of the juvenile’s mothers was waiting at the bus stop after being told by her child about the fight,” according to the sheriff’s office. “Once the fight began, the mother joined the fight instead of trying to break it up.”
The mother was identified as Kathryn Stephanopoulos, 34. Stephanopoulos’ daughter texted her mother that she “believes she was going to get into a fight” with her old friend, according to the affidavit, which cited a post-Miranda interview with deputies. Stephanopoulos attempted to make her adult presence known at the bus stop to prevent the brawl but was unsuccessful.
The whole event was recorded on cellphone footage by a student on the bus, which was investigated by detectives and obtained by Fox 35. Stephanopoulos is seen approaching the girls at the bus stop and getting engaged in their physical confrontation. According to deputies, she had one of the girls in a headlock and was restricting their respiration.
According to the affidavit, the bus driver attempted to break up the brawl by blowing the horn and shouting at them to stop.
“Yo, not the mom!” one youngster on the bus exclaimed, as captured on cellphone footage.
During the mother’s argument with her daughter’s former friend, another fight broke out between the former friend and another male student. Deputies claimed he was attempting to break up the fight.
On August 14, 2024, two Flagler Palm Coast High School students got into a confrontation with one of their moms at a bus stop in Bunnell. (Photo via Flagler County Sheriff’s Office)
“How did this s*** even get instigated, bruh?” one kid said. “How does this s*** even happen?”
Later, one of the females allegedly swung a Stanley Cup at Stephanopoulos’ face.
“Did she just hit her with a Stanley cup?” one student asked in the cellphone footage.
“Yes, she did,” another student answered.
“That’s crazy!” the student said.
Stephanopoulos then got into her car and drove away, as shown in the video. The bus also departed the area to drop off the remaining children at their homes, according to the affidavit.
There were no arrests on the day of the purported fight.
An inquiry was launched, and Stephanopolous was detained and sent to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. She was released after paying a $1,000 bail, according to online prison records.
“It should be noted that Kathryn expressed her regret and embarrassment about the entire incident,” according to the paperwork. Deputies said the teenager engaged in the brawl was also detained on felony aggravated violence charges. The other adolescent, likely Stephanopoulos’ daughter, is facing misdemeanor charges, which have been sent to the State Attorney’s Office.
According to deputies, the altercation resulted in minor injuries such as lacerations, bruises, and swelling.
“Instead of deescalating the situation, we have a mother who has joined in the fray, setting a bad example for her child and those at the bus stop,” Sheriff Rick Staly stated in a statement. “She won’t be named Mother of the Year for her acts. Parents must lead by example and avoid contributing to the situation. Fortunately, no one was gravely wounded, but a mother is now facing serious charges after losing control of her fury.”