Media

‘Splash Heard ’Round the World’: ABC News Sympathizes With Texting Woman Who Walked Into Fountain

As we’ve previously reported, a Pennsylvania woman who mindlessly wandered into a mall fountain while concentrating on composing a text message has hired legal counsel and launched a public awareness campaign warning people of the dangers of texting and walking. Cathy Cruz Marrero, a Reading, Penn., resident, has also publicly criticized the mall and its security for not coming to her aid following her fall.

On Thursday morning, ABC‘s Good Morning America highlighted Marrero’s plight, calling her fall the “splash heard ’round the wold”:

Splash Heard Round the World: ABC News Sympathizes With Texting Woman Who Walked Into Fountain

Co-host George Stephanopoulos sympathized with the clumsy woman, saying “I get it… this could be me.”

Splash Heard Round the World: ABC News Sympathizes With Texting Woman Who Walked Into Fountain

Marrero is now considering taking legal action against the Berkshire mall after its employees used a cell phone camera to post the admittedly hilarious video on the internet.

After throwing herself further into the public spotlight, many have begun to question Marrero’s motives.

According to the Reading Eagle, Marrero was in Berks County Court after her Good Morning America appearance for a status hearing on theft-by-deception and related charges.  In October 2009, she was charged for using a co-worker’s credit cards to make more than $5,000 in purchases at two local  stores.  According to police, Marrero changed the billing address on at least one of the cards so her co-worker would not receive the monthly bills and find out about the purchases.

In addition, she has had several retail theft charges and a hit-and-run charge on her record.  She currently owes more than $4,000 in restitution and is hoping to avoid jail time.

“Her prior personal affairs have nothing to do with what happened to her at the Berkshire Mall and the video that has been posted,” her attorney says.

Some people — including commenters on The Blaze — have suggested Marrero staged the accident to collect money.  But her attorney says “for that to be true, she would have had to know this was going to be posted to YouTube.”

“What we want is an apology,” he said. “We also want to know what happened, how it happened and who is responsible and then we’ll go from there.”

In the meantime, the Berkshire Mall’s security contractor released a statement Thursday saying that it had fired a security guard responsible for releasing the video.

Comments (244)

1 2 3 ... 8
  • twofoot_trucker
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:32pm

    Unbelievable. Not pay attention to where you are going because you are glued to your cell phone, fall into fountain due to your own stupidity, sue the people running the mall for failing to protect you from your own stupidity?

    This is what happens when there are to many lawyers in a society.

    As for the husband; Really? They should have come to her aid immediately? Unless that mall has the Star Trek beaming technology, how exactly are they supposed to do that? She was gone well before anyone would have arrived at the fountain. Unless there happened to be a guard standing right beside the fountain when she fell in. Again, fell in due to her own stupidity.

    Sorry, no sympathy for somebody more concerned with their own convenience than the safety of those around them.

    Report Post »  
  • AE
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:32pm

    I build fountains for a living and have built many hundreds around the world.
    The fountain would like an apology from being blundered into by a prospective Darwin Award winner

    Report Post »  
    • PeachyinGA
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 7:03pm

      She sure laid the groundwork to bring a lawsuit by claiming there wasn’t anything to grab hold of as she realized she was going into the drink. Just a sweet woman texting her friend at Church. Probably made friends with her waiting to be seen by the judge.

      Report Post » PeachyinGA  
  • mamawalker
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:32pm

    I bet she gets some sort of settlement. After all, the money will come from an evil insurance company and everyone knows they deserve to get sued. A $1M settlement is nothing for those evil, evil, insurance people!

    Report Post »  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:31pm

    What a stupid twit. First she falls into the fountain because she was texting while walking, then she comes out and wants to sue because of the embarrassment and she’s upset that no one from security came to see if she was alright? How fast would they have had to be to catch up with her? She took off pretty fast after climbing out of the fountain. As for the embarrassment thing, how many people would have even known who she was if she hadn’t made an appearance with her lawyer?
    She does something stupid and the answer is to get a lawyer and sue. That is what she should truly be embarrassed about. I guess that mall should be happy that she wasn’t chewing gum and walking at the same time, then there would really have been some problems.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • billypol
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:31pm

    HAHAHA- She looks like “Wash Out” from the “Hotshots” movie!

    Report Post »  
  • The Gooch
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:30pm

    Yep. I’m done with this. Oh, and the attorney, true to form for his ilk, is a parasitic ass. Nice job, America.

    Report Post »  
  • Scarab Sport
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:29pm

    This woman is a LOSER! No one wants to take personal responsibility for their actions or stupidity. She wants to twist things around and blame the mall. The dunk in the fountain should have been a wake up call. However, today she was too busy in court for scamming a co-worker by using their credit card(s) to appropriate $5,000 worth of merchandise. She is a real class act.

    Report Post »  
  • pacrimescode5904
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:28pm

    As much as I wish this idiot would just go away she does unfortunately have a case:

    Lemme do a little work for her lawyer. The security guard violated §24 of the Pennsylvania Private Detective Act. Violation of that subsection is an ungraded misdemeanor and he should therefore add the Security Company (named in the Reading Eagle story) to the lawsuit that I’m sure that this rat I mean lawyer will file.

    The guard company should be able to settle the suit for a negligble amount which would be covered under their employee dishonesty bond and the mall should be covered by the security company’s insurance.

    The dumb ass criminal should lose her job in retail because of her criminal history and any company that would hire a person of her character should not be frequented because how safe is your credit card info with her? She should be filing for unemployment along with the mall cop.

    Report Post »  
    • tmmc18
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 2:22am

      “She should be filing for unemployment along with the mall cop.”

      WRONG!! She AND the mall cop should be DENIED any compensation…. INCLUDING unemployment.
      You are SUPPOSED to be able to collect because of lack of work BEYOND your control.
      Being stupid is beyo….. oh wait…. never mind.

      Report Post » tmmc18  
  • RLTW
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:28pm

    $$$$$$$$$$ could it be? Based on her background…Yea

    Report Post »  
  • shipwreckkelley
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:26pm

    Oh my gawd!! This is gonna give lawyers a bad name!
    Of everything I have seen it…“TWIT”” probably best suits her.
    I can’t believe she went public.

    Report Post » shipwreckkelley  
    • tmmc18
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 2:18am

      You think THIS will give lawyers a bad name?

      really?

      where have you been?

      Report Post » tmmc18  
  • beckwill
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:25pm

    Seriously? a lawsuit? If you’re dumb enough to fall face forward into a mall fountain while texting….then be quiet while the rest of us laugh our collective asses off at you. Get over yourself and watch where your going next time.

    Report Post »  
  • Whostolemypig
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:25pm

    Yep, another liberal wanting a handout to cover her own stupidity.

    Report Post »  
  • Untameable-kate
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:25pm

    For someone who is so embarrased she is sure trying to get famous and rich off this.

    Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • shipwreckkelley
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:24pm

    Add your comments

    Report Post » shipwreckkelley  
    • what4
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:27pm

      At 49……she feared missing out on her 15 minutes of fame????

      Report Post »  
  • Carl1
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:23pm

    You want an apology? OK, We are sorry you are so stupid you cant walk and text at the same time?

    Report Post » Carl1 Supports Israel  
  • AmericanSoldier
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:22pm

    She didn’t stage it but she definitely is taking advantage of this opportunity. Does her past record have anything to do with this? Yes and no. It’s clear she could use the lawsuit money to get herself out of a jam. It’s also clear she has no personal responsibility for her actions as she was willing to commit a hit and run. So her past record shows that she would rather place blame on the Mall in order to take advantage of them and cover her butt from those past legal troubles.

    Report Post » American Soldier (Separated)  
  • Xcori8r
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:22pm

    The twit needs to be charged with assaulting the fountain.

    Just proves that just about anything abnormal qualifies for attention nowadays.

    Report Post » Xcori8r  
  • nzkiwi
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:22pm

    First the world thought she was clumsy and laughed, but with kindness. Then the world realised, when she opened her mouth, that she was stupid and grasping.

    Now the world knows that she is a thief, and because of the hit-and-tun, a coward.

    Report Post »  
    • shipwreckkelley
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:28pm

      This hits the nail on the twit! Good post!

      Report Post » shipwreckkelley  
    • Buck Bagaw
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 7:26pm

      She just wants to see what it feels like to steal “legally”. The mall should sue her for polluting their water with stupidity.

      Report Post »  
    • Sledgehammer
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 9:25pm

      And her world just got a lot smaller, I showed this to the gang at work. I discovered that I work with her cousin, we all laughed our a$$es off! She won’t live this down any time soon! Her lawyer needs to find another line of work, as well.

      Report Post » Sledgehammer  
  • jeffile
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:21pm

    The mall ought to sue her for making the mall appear unsafe.

    Report Post »  
    • PeachyinGA
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:47pm

      My similar thought…. she climbed out leaving large puddles of water for someone else to slip on instead of getting security herself so maintenance could clean up the mess. Why did she wander into another store afterwards when she worked at a store where they knew her???

      Report Post » PeachyinGA  
  • Quad-rip-legic
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:21pm

    Remarkable, not so much.

    Report Post » Quad-rip-legic  
  • grandmaof5
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:20pm

    So he’s as dumb as she is, is what he’s saying? Oh wait, it’s George, I wonder if he has his lawyer lined up yet! She can sue the mall without her fall being on YouTube, it happens all the time. How it happened? Is that a rhetorical question? What happened? Ask the people who tried to help. Who is responsible? Try the dumb woman who can’t chew gum and walk at the same time.

    Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:37pm

      Evening Grandmaof5,

      Hope it stays warm there tonight for you and the cats; this computer lab will be down for maintaince part of tommorow so I imagine Broker 0101 will be happy with that. The lab I refer to is the one at my apartment complex; so enjoy the hopefully warmer weather.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:56pm

      Will miss you in the AM. Had a chance to look at the latest art, why no whiskers on some of them? Storms tonight and tomorrow morning – cold starting tomorrow night. Cats love it!

      Report Post »  
    • martyw
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:59pm

      MUST BE gw BUSH’S fault…….

      Report Post »  
  • oldguy48
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:19pm

    We are all just victims.

    Report Post »  
  • PlanetXenu
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:19pm

    LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and the lawsuit thing is stupid. “I’m embarrased, so I need to sue.” don’t text and walk, it’s dangerous to your wordrobe. too much pride…must be why it’s a deadly sin.

    Report Post »  
    • AmericanSoldier
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:27pm

      This is a classic example for this App for the iPhone I saw before. As your texting, the background is a video from your camera so you can see where your going while texting. I forgot what it was called….

      Report Post » American Soldier (Separated)  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:37pm

      As your texting, the background is a video from your camera so you can see where your going while texting. I forgot what it was called….
      —–
      iSee ?

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • WhiteFang
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 7:50pm

      Sad thing is, she will actually be able to extort a settlement from the Mall.
      That is the disgusting reality of the present “justice system”.

      Report Post » WhiteFang  
    • Untameable-kate
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 8:56pm

      Crocodile tears and a sleezy lawyer. ka-ching

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • Strife
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:18pm

    She seems like a classy gal. All she wants is an apology…right…

    Report Post » Strife  
    • AmericanSoldier
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:23pm

      How about losing his job in a tough economy. The video was hilarious and you can see that someone did try to help her (Janitor) she said she was fine. No basis for lawsuit.

      Report Post » American Soldier (Separated)  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:34pm

      In October 2009, she was charged for using a co-worker’s credit cards to make more than $5,000 in purchases at two local stores. According to police, Marrero changed the billing address on at least one of the cards so her co-worker would not receive the monthly bills and find out about the purchases.

      In addition, she has had several retail theft charges and a hit-and-run charge on her record. She currently owes more than $4,000 in restitution and is hoping to avoid jail time.

      ——————-

      Now if THAT doesn’t say “ upstanding citizen”……..
      @_@

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • fivebyfive
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:44pm

      Does she have access to customers CREDIT CARDS? if so I would not shop at any store she worked in

      Report Post » fivebyfive  
    • oldoldtimer
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 9:18am

      Thanks cheez. Nothing better than a little sunshine and a whole lot of truth.

      Report Post »  
    • Hugh Williams
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 11:12am

      This is just a woman totally devoid of all moral values looking for an easy unearned buck. She is a typical leftist.

      Report Post » Hugh Williams  
  • what4
    Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:18pm

    Stupid is as stupid did….No basis for your lawsuit lady!

    Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:23pm

      How true, if you do not pay attention to what is going on around you, then expect to have things happen like this…almost everyone does something embarrassing AT LEAST once in their lives. No need for a lawsuit in this case, just get over it and get on with your life; this country seems to be just mega-sue happy lately.

      How long until someone sues themselves for offending themselves?

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Independent Tess
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:26pm

      The only reason anyone knows that it was her is because she announced it to the world!
      She’s an opportunist hoping to make a big score.

      Report Post » Independent Tess  
    • jbl8199
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:28pm

      Yup, it was her own fault, not the malls, but i do agree they should have at least checked to see if she was alright instead of laughing at her.

      Report Post » jbl8199  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:32pm

      Does this woman look like that dude from MadTV ?

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr5hlOwxK3c

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • ltb
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:33pm

      Personally, I think it’s time to bring back public stockades where people like this lady and her attorney can be chained and have rotten tomatoes hurled at their faces. We also need to pass a law where the loser pays court costs, attorney’s fees and punitive fines for using our court system to try and force others to pay for their stupidity. I am embarrassed these people are allowed to call themselves Americans.

      Report Post » ltb  
    • PeachyinGA
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:49pm

      She planned it, pure and simple. Of course it was going to go viral … a cat winks twice on a video and the 24 News plays it all day long! Wonder how many fountains she’s had to fall into since Christmas, knowing it was only a matter of time before someone would post it?

      Report Post » PeachyinGA  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:53pm

      Wow, so she is not responsible. I guess now we will have signs up saying “Danger, texting a walking could lead to you being a dumba$$ and being posted on youtube.” Maybe we post guards around all fountains, they could Taze anyone texting and walkinhg, for their own safety of course. We could drain the water and instead put a bouncy pit, now that would be a lot better and greener for the community. Or, we could simply make people take a test proving they have an IQ higher than a potato or at least Dan Qayle, before you are allowed to get a cell phone. After all that, if you still fall into a fountain or do anything else to embarass yourself, you have to go on Keith Obermans show and be ridiculed and named “Worlds worse person”. Now, who want’s pie?

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • RobertCA
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 6:54pm

      What the F… is happening to this country ???????????? when will be everyone of us responsible for his mistakes & stop blaming someone else .
      The video was funny & I will keep watching it .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • mcfinch
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 7:17pm

      Made me laugh.

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Video Website

      Report Post » mcfinch  
    • chazman
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 7:27pm

      Yeah right … text and walk, while chewing gum, means yer a moron. Why? ‘Cause yer all wet, you twit!

      And on an unrelated subject … Ellen DeGenerate is not funny! Due to a shift change in my work schedule, I have watched her show for six weeks and ELLEN is NOT FUNNY!!!! I might have smiled at at some of the things her guest’s have said, but ELLEN is NOT FUNNY!!! Just wanted to throw that out there … I stopped watching her show last week.

      Report Post »  
    • HappyStretchedThin
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 7:30pm

      I, judge Happy, hereby award the plaintiff a bajillion dollars for not knowing that coffee is hot, for not knowing that smoking can’t be doing anything good for your lungs, and for not knowing that human beings laugh at genuine slapstick from age about 10 months on.
      Welcome to America, where the technology absorbed are wet, and where serious lawyers hope to make serious cash on frivolity (whether it be the plaintiff‘s or the lawsuit’s).

      Report Post » HappyStretchedThin  
    • Doctor of Truth
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 7:43pm

      She should sue the public school system for helping to make her so stupid and incapable of accepting personal responsibilty for her own mistakes. She would have much more basis for her claim that way. Free psudoparalegal advice.

      Report Post » Dr of T  
    • Doctor of Truth
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 7:45pm

      Attorney should sue for a refund on his college tuition.

      Report Post » Dr of T  
    • Rogue
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 7:58pm

      “We also want to know what happened, how it happened and who is responsible and then we’ll go from there.”

      Well Mr. Lawyer, let me save you 120 billable hours…. she fell in the fountain….. she wasn’t watching where she was walking….. it’s HER OWN DAMN FAULT…….. case closed.. go back to chasing ambulances, you vermin.

      Report Post » Rogue  
    • stephenb.net
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 8:14pm

      Puuleeeze! Just get over it. No one got hurt, it’s funny. Law suit? Shut up!

      Report Post »  
    • Sam I am
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 8:22pm

      Today I heard she’s been arrested. No, not for falling in a fountain, but for ripping off stores.
      Film at 11.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • 101
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 8:42pm

      Another extreme idiot that will not take responsibility for her own stupidity. She’s just a criminal & another burden on society and the court systems!

      Report Post »  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 9:13pm

      embarrassed…plain and simple…can’t imagine my mug plastered all over the place for doing something so stupid…but I probably wouldn’t of told anyone it was me…eeek…

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
    • lastride
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 9:23pm

      OMGLWYW (oh my god look where your walking) and yes you must sue go to court swear to tell the trouth your an dumbass

      Report Post »  
    • jds7171
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 9:41pm

      “What we want is an apology,” he said. “We also want to know what happened, how it happened and who is responsible and then we’ll go from there.”

      Well what happened is Marrero was acting like an idiot. Case solved. that sure did save a lot of tax payers money.

      Report Post »  
    • P C BE DAMNED
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 9:42pm

      If she was driving an SUV and ran over your family would you symphathise ?

      Report Post » P C BE DAMNED  
    • bulletsinthegun
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 9:45pm

      All I have to say is LADY YOU ARE AN IDIOT, lol

      Report Post » bulletsinthegun  
    • BONETRAUMA
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 9:47pm

      Stupid is stupid beeez. Tru Dat!

      Report Post »  
    • jbhansen
      Posted on January 20, 2011 at 10:43pm

      The screenshot on the second video looks exactly like a SNL skit getting underway… And that’s just where this lawsuit belongs – in a comedy skit.

      Report Post »  
    • ron the veteran
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 12:18am

      typical liberal responce to being found out to be stupid and not paying attention. now its some how the malls fault for her being ignorant and not watching where she was going. she should be laughed out of the courtroom. this is what he ******* left is full of, lazy lame loosers texting. we need more fountains to catch these idiots in. notice how she went away mad. yes folks we need more (idiot trap) fountains!

      Report Post »  
    • GONESURFING
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 12:19am

      You got that right, just one girls stupidity. This does however make a good case against texting and driving.

      Report Post » GONESURFING  
    • oldoldtimer
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 9:12am

      Signs posted everywhere ” TEXT AT YOUR OWN RISK. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS WHILE TEXTING” another good sign. Not responsible for accidents caused by your stupidity. Now we know why they put warning labels on hair driers to not use them in a bath tub.

      Report Post »  
    • mtay60lor
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 9:33am

      She and her lawyer want an apology so give it to her. But as to her other questions. What happened? Answer while texting she wsn’t paying attention and fell into a fountain. How did it happen? Answer she wasn’t paying attention. Who is responsible? Answer She is. Case closed. Look in the mirror lady you are a giant waste of skin and further proof that we are going to hell in a hand basket. There is no way her nephew knew it was her on youtube unless she told people she stupidly fell into a fountain. Interesting that now we find she used a coworkers card to run up charges. The more you put your face out in the public the more you hold yourself up to ridicule

      Report Post »  
    • natstew
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 10:41am

      This is really funny, could be in a commedy movie.

      Report Post »  
    • exdem
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 10:54am

      I slipped on my ice covered deck and I am suing Al Gore because he promised global warming and all I got was snow.

      Report Post »  
    • docvet
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:51pm

      @PEACHYINGA
      I didn’t think of that. Maybe ya got a point. Good thing the video went viral, she coulda got pneumonia. The more I think about it, that is as funny as the video. lllllllol

      Report Post »  
    • Devil Dog 7175
      Posted on January 21, 2011 at 7:17pm

      Let me get this right… your stupid, you dont watch where your going, you fall into a fountain, you get laughed at, you sue… Sure , why not…

      Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
1 2 3 ... 8

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love