Stranger hits crying toddler at Georgia Wal-mart!!!

Marina - posted on 09/06/2009

Im a mother of 2 one of 25 n one of 22 n 3 grandchildren n I cant understand how this mother could tolerate this thus that a stranger come n tell what to do n slapped the baby to.So many reason why the baby is crying n in place of ask may I help you?God help us to be more concern what is going on arround us n give a helping hand.This man self is somebody with problem n need help but has to pay for his behavior.He has been charged????Who did it????The mother or the police????

Tammy - posted on 09/05/2009

I'm sorry to say if that would of been my child. I don't care how old the person was I would have knocked his ass out.

Cailie - posted on 09/05/2009

there is no reason for any child/ adult to be slapped in the face let a lone but a complete stranger. i hope he sits in prison !

Kylie - posted on 09/05/2009

OMG the reaction of some is just mind boggling. Reading this post everybody has had the help of hindsight which is always 20/20. Of course we all agree that no one would get away with touching our kids in any form but why turn on the mother? It probably happened so quick and maybe she was in shock and it seemed like slow motion to her. We all have a fight or flight response which we know the fighters (like myself) who would have done 'something'. The mother is probably feeling so guilty that she didn't get there even 1 second earlier. Concentrate on the act that was committed and obviously there are mentally ill or just plain d@#*heads out there in society.

Tracy - posted on 09/05/2009

They would have been taking me out of Walmart in handcuffs & him out in a bodybag. There is no way a complete stranger would hit my 2 yr old & live to tell it. What was he sniffing, smoking, inhaling, drinking, or injecting before he went to Walmart????!!!!!!

Cyndi - posted on 09/05/2009

Apparently this woman, IDIOT as far as I'm concerned, forgave the bastard! I don't care if she was setting an example of forgiveness for her child, as one reporter put it, it's my child! I don't care if my child hit you with a 2X4! I will discipline them, not you. And they are definitly not getting a "your forgiven" card. Mental illness or not, because if anyone, ANYONE knew this man had problems, they should have made sure he wouldn't hurt anybody because of them. I'd kill the bastard,plain and simple. I'd tell him that if he even thought about hitting my child I'd kill him. If that's not enough of a signal for you to find another store or deal with it, then your beyond the format of a moron. For all of you parents who say, my kids know how to behave, temper-tantrums are not allowed, take your kid out of the store to be considerate of other people, you are out of your minds. Either you live in a bubble, or your kids are all geniuses, but even geniuses get tired hungry or just plain cranky because they want to. If you don't know kids can be like that, or you can't stand it, then go home, stay home, have someone else do your shopping for you. YOU need to be considerate and realize that not everyone has hours to while away at the store, nor do they have the money for gas to take their kid home and then back to the store just for a temper-tantrum. Grow up, we don't live in a perfect world, so stop acting like it. Protect and love your kids, don't treat them like the enemy or that their stupid.

Linnea - posted on 09/05/2009

That sob would b in a casket if he wuz lucky 4 ttouching my angel.. God help any 1 hurting a child. if the parents do it , itss 2 dicipline them and then its over and you teach the child to respect parents and learn a lesson 2 not use hands 2 hurt people . That muther should have his 23@#$#$ you know whats in asling-shame on him-!!!!!!

Mindy - posted on 09/05/2009

no one should ever hit a child!!

Donna - posted on 09/05/2009

Totally inappropriate behavior...while a screaming child is annoying, how dare anyone hit another child in such a manner. This is abuse!

Christel - posted on 09/05/2009

The other day there was a woman with two childern crying while I was waiting for a brith cerificate. and the mother did nothing to clam her down for 45 minutes the little girl just kept throwing her fits.Nobody told her to shut her up. The mother was stressed because she was holding the other child. Everyone saw this.

In this case I think that the man is an old man who cant take noise. They lived in a different time eara. when its OK to repremend others people childern. They think that childern sould be seen and not heard. So in away you have to over look and see were he was coming from. BUT HE HAD NO BUSSINESS TOUCHING THE LITTLE CHILD AT ALL. AND WHEN HE FRIST TOLD THE MOTHER THAT SHE SHOULD HAVE WENT TO THE MANAGER RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE THAT WAS THREAT TOO HER AND THE CHILD.

Michele - posted on 09/05/2009

This is not the first time a child was struck in a Walmart, Last August I was in my local Walmart when one of there employees walked off there register and struck my son in his arm, He was doing nothing wrong , When I brought it to the managers attention and they reviewed the tapes they found no reason for there employees action and they were shocked that this had happened, I returned two days later just to find her still employed and there reasoning was because she did not do it in a malicious manner.

Sandra - posted on 09/05/2009

if he had done that to my 2year old he would be alive now!!!!!!!!!!

Patricia - posted on 09/05/2009

Our society has changed. I don't agree with Roger Stephens' actions. I just want to point out that long ago this was a normal incedent in the grocery store. Neighbors would discipline each other children and this was the norm.

Kelly - posted on 09/05/2009

OMG... I would have slapped him right back! I have a 2 year old son... things would have gotten real ugly the Wal-Mart let me tell you, would be worse if my husband were around...whoohoo! Poor little peanut.

Leslie - posted on 09/05/2009

It's simply inexcusable and the fact that some people still think violence will make a child stop crying is insane in my mind.....We can't control what parents do to their own kids out of our sight but to do something like that to someone else's kid is just unbelievable! I have my own ideas as to how to punish that man but I wouldnt put them in writing.

Keyanna - posted on 09/05/2009

That was totally uncalled for people are getting out of control putting there hands on other peoples children if it had been me and my child I would have been charged also cause I would have kick his butt for putting his hands on my child no one and I mean no one will put there hands on my child but me

Amanda - posted on 09/05/2009

Okay, I could understand shooting a disgruntled look at the child, and walking away, but hell,, HITTING someone elses child?!? What was the mother doing, just asking because I swear to goddess if anyone came towards my daughter with any malicious intent, or even looking like they were intending to hurt my daughter, I'd have hurt them, badly, first!!!

What the hell is this world coming to? A 2 year old child got assualted for goodness sake!!

Disgusting!

Tara - posted on 09/05/2009

That guy would have been in the hospital if it were me. I'll take an assault charge for defeanding my child any day.

Kathy - posted on 09/05/2009

Quoting Lucia:

Oh look, it's the idiot from isle three.
Slap One - What the heck is going on?
Slap Two - Is he hitting my child?
Slap Three - No, he can't be...
Slap Four - Yes! He IS hitting my child!!!

What I'd like to know is, where the heck was the mom? The article says he grabbed the girl and then slapped her. Was she running around freely? How far was the mom? I don't know about you, but when my 2-yr old isn't in the cart, I have her hand right beside me. Even if some crazy guy got close enough to smack her, I'd be within enough distance not to let it happen four times!!!! FOUR TIMES!!!! There's no way that this woman was keeping an eye on her toddler. Any mother would pull their kid away or throw themself between, if they were within arms distance. I have a feeling that she was letting the kid "cry it out" while she continued on with her shopping. (In no way does this condone the man's crazy and stupid behavior, but I can bet that this woman will pay more attention to her child's needs from this point on.)

Yes it is possible that the woman wasn't watching her child, but 4 slaps can be quick she could have simply been getting something off the shelf and by time she could do anything it may have been too late. It doesn't give alot of details to how it happened. And like you said no matter what the situation, the man still had no right to strike that child.

Marian - posted on 09/05/2009

If he dared to touch my child I would've hit the hell out of him.

Jody - posted on 09/05/2009

I also will play the devils advocate here. No I would not want a stranger to hit my child and yes I would be mad. But he did speak to the mother some time before. Why wasn't the child taken care of? If she had been doing her job as a mother than this wouldn't have happen. My kids never acted up in a store. And it is very irritating now that when I take them shopping and am trying to talk to them in a store there is a child screaming at the top of their lungs and the parents are ignoring them. I am trying to take care of my childs needs and their child is making it very difficult. manners and respect for others are lacking in some children, which is a parents fault.

Kathy - posted on 09/05/2009

My fiance... baby's daddy said that he woulda had assult charges against him too, its wrong to hit a stragers kid.... like many have said its in public... you got to expect that kinda thing in public once in a while, beating the kid won't solve it. As far as with some of you that said she shoulda left the store when he threatened her, no... but he could have walked away, if she's in the store on her own with the child maybe she had things to do?? If she was in the store with the dad THEN ya, one parent could take the child to the car and wait.... BUT I think had it been me and my fiance the guy woulda needed an ambulance not the police!!

Heather - posted on 09/05/2009

Its amazing to me how many people can think that the charges against this man are harsh.

What a load of crap.

This is assault. Felony assault. This man could not control his rage and hit another person...in this case a completely defensless person. A child.

Crying is communicating... it can be something as simple as I am tired and unhappy but children communicate in the ways they can.

My husband is defensive when a stranger even touches our 13 month old son... when an infant people like to touch their heads....I can't even imagine if someone was to actually hit our child...



For those people who think its too severe (the felony assault charge)....think of your most prized possession....(cause we all know its not your children if you have any) and think of how you would feel if someone damaged it, purposefully. I bet youd want the most severe punishment possible.

Lora - posted on 09/05/2009

It is a horrible thought that anyone could walk up and slap anyone, especially a child! But I have seen parents do just as much harm to their children on a daily basis by the way they talk to their children. They scream and make a scene, down grade and belittle and curse and say cruel things. Parents need to think how they talk and train their children.......a child is scarred for life when they treat them these ways and do not show the love they are supposed to have for these children. I believe in disipline and correction, but screaming, cursing and beating is not disipline. Teach your children how to behave in public by knowing how to behave yourself. If the child is hurting, pick them up and love them and treat their ailment....if they are just being hateful....be the parent.

Diane - posted on 09/05/2009

The last thing anyone would think is that some total stranger would actually hit your child. Sometimes things can happen quicker then the mind can process them. I would have laid the man out flat. I have trouble keeping my mouth shut when someone just makes a comment about my boys, never mind actually putting their hands on them. OH HELL NO.and yes he should be charged with felony assult. Imagine if he can do this a strangers child what he must have done to his own and if he has any grandchildren. The man needs some severe counceling that's for sure.

Diane - posted on 09/05/2009

The last thing anyone would think is that some total stranger would actually hit your child. Sometimes things can happen quicker then the mind can process them. I would have laid the man out flat. I have trouble keeping my mouth shut when someone just makes a comment about my boys, never mind actually putting their hands on them. OH HELL NO.and yes he should be charged with felony assult. Imagine if he can do this a strangers child what he must have done to his own and if he has any grandchildren. The man needs some severe counceling that's for sure.

Vicky - posted on 09/05/2009

I'm thinking like is he an idiot!Like that didn't make the child cry even more.All I know as a Mom of 11 he would of needed the police to get me off of him.

Dawn - posted on 09/05/2009

I would have to admit that there are times in a public place that I have wanted to tell a woman to make her child be quiet but I think to do so would be extremely rude. However, to actually hit a child because it is crying in a public place is absolutely cruelty to the child! That child was two years old and will probably now be afraid of public places because of it. This man is obviously not a well man and should have a thorough psychiatric examination.

Isabel - posted on 09/05/2009

There are many things about this one that were not disclosed- even if this mom was the worst mom alive the guy had no business touching the child period.

Christal - posted on 09/05/2009

I think that its up to the parent to discipline. i heard about this on the radiow and i think its utterly rediculous i was furious when they had callers call in and agree it was okay to hit another persons child. SERIOUSLY if you want the peace and quiet order you food/clothes/accesories ONLINE! noone has the right to hit another persons child without permission. if i was that childs mother that old man would be incritical condition, i would have beat him to a bloody pulp. this infuriate me to think people have some right to do this. its none of your business.

Erica - posted on 09/05/2009

Quoting Maggie:
I think FELONY cruelty is a little harsh.

You think its harsh?? I bet if it was your child you wouldnt think that the punishment was harsh enough! Its child abuse!!! That child did NOT deserve to be hit...not by anyone! Kids act like asses, it happens. Who knows maybe she has problems, like autism, you never know. He shouldnt go around laying his hands on people PERIOD let alone a child. He is a danger to society and i think his punishment was fair.

Erica - posted on 09/05/2009

OMG! I dare anyone to slap my child.....I would be in prison for murder...end of story. Ive had people tell me my kid is spoiled and needs a spanking or that i should do this or this when he is having a fit, and i tend to get pretty nasty with them (my almost 3 yr old has autism and cannot help the way he behaves sometimes) That man would be laying in a pool of blood when i was finished with him had it been my child!

Hope - posted on 09/05/2009

Quoting Maggie:

the woman should have gotten away from him when he said he would shut the kid up. I don't tend to keep my kids around people who THREATEN THEM. Also, where was she when he grabbed the kid? I know if some strange guy came at my kid I'd get between them and sure wouldn't let him get his hands on her. She could have been more proactive in preventing the situation in the first place. Clearly the guy had issues...if she had left or taken a few minutes to calm the child the whole situation could have been avoided.

If the mother didn't do a heck of a lot about protecting her kid..Kind of makes me wonder what kind of mother she truly is, especially a stranger touching your child like that, maybe she is the abuser herself or not to responsible for that matter. If anyone would have done that to my kid well wait they wouldn;t even have a chance to even touch my kid but if the guy threatend I would have either would have screamed in his ear and told him to go F himself or get security, and it takes alot for me to lose my temper, as I don't want my daughter picking that up.

Amiee - posted on 09/05/2009

I also would have had to be put in jail for assault, I would have torn this guys eyes out! I don't think Felony Cruelty to children at all was a harsh charged, it is exactly what he did. He needs to be made clean that this type of behaviour is way passed acceptable.

Isabel - posted on 09/05/2009

STRANGER IN PAIN

Lucia - posted on 09/04/2009

Oh look, it's the idiot from isle three.

Slap One - What the heck is going on?

Slap Two - Is he hitting my child?

Slap Three - No, he can't be...

Slap Four - Yes! He IS hitting my child!!!



What I'd like to know is, where the heck was the mom? The article says he grabbed the girl and then slapped her. Was she running around freely? How far was the mom? I don't know about you, but when my 2-yr old isn't in the cart, I have her hand right beside me. Even if some crazy guy got close enough to smack her, I'd be within enough distance not to let it happen four times!!!! FOUR TIMES!!!! There's no way that this woman was keeping an eye on her toddler. Any mother would pull their kid away or throw themself between, if they were within arms distance. I have a feeling that she was letting the kid "cry it out" while she continued on with her shopping. (In no way does this condone the man's crazy and stupid behavior, but I can bet that this woman will pay more attention to her child's needs from this point on.)

Amie - posted on 09/04/2009

This is so horible, I can't believe that anyone would think it was ok to put their hand on someone else's child.

Karen - posted on 09/04/2009

My partner and I have 5 children between us and I would not have left the store if my child is throwing a tantrum as that gives them what they want or attention for what they are doing. I have an 8 year old son with autism and we have been taught to handle the situation before it hits melt down but that does not mean giving the kid what they want. It also does not mean that you should live your life around a child that is goin to miss behave. I dont get to go to the shops much so when I go Im not going to leave if my kids having a tanty.

The mother should have protected her child from this guy by calling security when he first threatend them let alone when he first grabbed her.

If this was me the guy would not be walking NO ONE and I mean NO ONe touches my kids. Yes my child would see what I would have done to the guy but I believe that it would teach them to stand up for themselves and others if they are places in a threatening situation

Jeannie - posted on 09/04/2009

no one has the right 2 hit someone else's child. babies and toddlers get fussy and cranky in stores, it happens, if u cant deal w/ it move away. but it that was my child or god forbid my grandchild i think id been going 2 jail also because i' would have clobbered him in the damn head w/ the closet thing i could get my hands on. and 2 have slapped her in the face is totally uncalled for. he should rot in jail as far as im concerned. i pray he doesnt have children or grandchildren.

Cherity - posted on 09/04/2009

Common courtesy people... it isn't reserved for just the people you know...

Lydia - posted on 09/04/2009

Some people dont have the extra couple of hours to waste packing up going home calming down and returning with no guaruntee there wont be a repeat performance. Its a PUBLIC SPACE - as long as the child isnt hurting anyone (and annoying isnt hurting) then if YOU dont like it YOU leave. Dont get me wrong - I dont always tolerate others kids screaming in public - but I then do what I need and go somewhere else. Its called freedom.

Jane - posted on 09/04/2009

When people are out shopping they do not want to have to deal with someone else's kids - especially screaming kids. I had a child throw ONE temper tantrum when he was that age, I left him screaming and carrying on for about one minute. As soon as he realized I was no longer standing there allowing him to act up, he got up, ran to catch up with me and behaved himself. He never pulled that again. He has children of his own now and they do not act up in public. It's not allowed. She should have removed her child from the store, if she's tired, hungry and all the other excuses people are giving her - take her home, remedy the situation and then go shopping.

Ellen - posted on 09/04/2009

I don't believe felony cruelty is too harsh. No one should touch someone else's child like that period! Plus no one said why the child was crying there could have been any possible reason for a child that age to be crying so there might not have been a cause for discipline. Again no matter the reason for the crying no one had the right to slap the child in the face!

Charlie - posted on 09/04/2009

I dont usually condone violence but when it comes to the safety of my child that man would be dead .
The mother was smart to stay in the store with security and cameras .
As for people saying SHE should have left when the child started crying , are you kidding ?? mothers are very busy you dont just throw it all in and stop what your doing because your child is crying or we would never get anything done , finish the shopping and go home .
That man should have controlled himself .
The point being he is an ADULT .
Surely that man must have mental issues , i cant imagine a sane adult would think it is ok to strike a child .

La Tonya - posted on 09/04/2009

i can only say that if it were me i would so be behind bars. the nerve of that a-hole!!! somebody should have slapped his behind!

Daniele - posted on 09/04/2009

I would have slapped him back. No one has the right to hit your kid..

Tania - posted on 09/04/2009

Quoting Stephanie:

I have got to say that of course it was way uncalled for, and he will get what he deserves. My question is where was the mom that he could pick her up and slap her several times. If someone tried picking up my child in astore they would be on the ground before they got him out of the seat. Third to those who say she should have left the store because she was screaming, it's not always the right thing to do. As the mother of an autistic child who until recently screamed through every shopping trip, I know its hard to deal with, but at that point you go in get what you need and get out. You learn to over look the comments and the looks. We don't know why she was crying so lets not judge the mother for not leaving the store. If the man didn't like it he should have went to a different part of the store.

Tania - posted on 09/04/2009

Stephanie THANK YOU, I know it is hard for some to understand that you do not wish for your child to be screaming, having a tantrum, etc. but not all children can handle public situations due to sensory disorders. Autistic children are feeling attacked by the sound, light, smell, or feel of their environments, but they have to be exposed to some degree to learn to feel safe in those environments. As a parent of an autistic child, you must go to the store and sometimes you have to deal with an upset child b/c you need supplies and only have certain times to shop between work, doctors, etc. Not everyone has family to help. My big point is lets not be so judgmental of others b/c they are not doing what we think is best. Knowing a child or having a child with any special needs can help a person be more tolerant, accepting and even sympathetic towards other children & parents with needs. That screaming child might have been set off by someones voice, thunder, the lights flashing, etc. Be patient, be kind, leave if you are getting upset by the fuss & try to be quick and respectful of others if your child is having the fuss. And by all means never yell at or touch a strangers child. I am sure that guy has mental problems and needs help. And I know it is easier to be removed from the situation & feel he needs help. I am sure the mom wishes she could have prevented her child from being hurt. How many times do you turn your back to grab the mac-n-cheese on the bottom shelf? That is all the time a determined person needs to do you harm. I hope the child is not hurt & I hope the guy gets help.

Tania - posted on 09/04/2009

Quoting Stephanie:

I have got to say that of course it was way uncalled for, and he will get what he deserves. My question is where was the mom that he could pick her up and slap her several times. If someone tried picking up my child in astore they would be on the ground before they got him out of the seat. Third to those who say she should have left the store because she was screaming, it's not always the right thing to do. As the mother of an autistic child who until recently screamed through every shopping trip, I know its hard to deal with, but at that point you go in get what you need and get out. You learn to over look the comments and the looks. We don't know why she was crying so lets not judge the mother for not leaving the store. If the man didn't like it he should have went to a different part of the store.

Donna - posted on 09/04/2009

My "child" is 27 years old and expecting her own child and I guess I would need her help in bailing myself out of jail for assault with intent! Sounds like a good reason to kick the crap out of someone. I'm about to be a Grandmother and I can assure you nobody ever had the right to hit my child and nobody will have the right to hit my grandchild. especially some old fart in Walmart! Sometimes kids cry. GET OVER IT! THERE WON'T BE ANY KIDS CRYING WHILE HE IS SITTING IN JAIL!!!