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‘Just Being a Kid’: Black Mother Refuses to Let HOA Have the Last Word After Son Was Labeled a ‘Public Nuisance’ for Playing in Neighborhood Tree

Atlanta Black Star by Mary Ginther / Aug 13, 2026 at 2:08 PM

A Florida mother is claiming victory after her neighborhood’s HOA labeled her 5-year-old son a public nuisance for touching a tree.

Ariel Barner received a legal notice last year accusing her 5-year-old son, Owen, of violating community rules by swinging from a tree near his bus stop in the Riverchase community in Orange County, Florida.

Barner confirmed over the weekend that the case had been dismissed, months later.

Ariel Barner says a neighbor reported her to the neighborhood HOA because her son was playing on a tree. Months later, the case has been dismissed. (Photos: @the_arielb/Instagram)

Her story went viral after she took to social media to share the ordeal.

“Even though everyone told me not to take my story to social media, it was the best thing I did for my family!” Barner wrote on Instagram.

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Source: ‘Just Being a Kid’: Black Mother Refuses to Let HOA Have the Last Word After Son Was Labeled a ‘Public Nuisance’ for Playing in Neighborhood Tree