Dog Community

Did I step out of line?

Posted : 3/13/2010 5:31:25 PM

The other day I was in the Walmart, and I was just browsing clothes. Well up at the register, this little boy about 4, was just crying and crying. It didn't sound like a temper tantrum cry, just a deep sobbing. He was there with his father, mother, and one of their mothers I assume. There was also a little girl in the basket, about two. Well as I'm browsing I see the pitiful excuse for a father wrench this little boy up by his upper arm, raises him over his OWN HEAD, and shakes him furiously! He was using his other hand to really spank the kid on his back/butt and he was taking him to the men's room, obviously to beat the snot out of him. Well I RAN, and just screamed, NO SIR! Put that child DOWN. NOW. Still holding onto the kid he whirls around and starts cussing me. I tell him he's breaking the law and why would he want to hurt his son, that's not discipline, that's rage. He threatens to come over and do the same to me, and I actually LAUGHED. I said I'm not afraid of you, sir, and really then you can go to jail for TWO counts of assault instead of one. Well that shut him up to an extent, and he put his son down who basically just curled into a ball. At this point there's like 20 people just standing around staring. The kids' own mother said "he deserved it" I said no child deserves to have a dislocated shoulder because their parents can't hold their temper. Granny starts cussing me as they all shuffle out and quickly make their way to the car. I felt SO bad for this kid. I would have called the police but they left in a big hurry and I honestly believe this guy would have spun my head around, and this was the day before my mom's surgery. I feel what I did was justified and that sort of abuse should be called out, but some of my friends tell me I'm going to get seriously injured one day. What do you guys think, do I really need to mind my own business?

rwbeagles

Posted : 3/13/2010 5:59:29 PM

Beejou
do I really need to mind my own business?

No one should mind their own business when a child is being hurt right in front of them ((hugs)) thank you.

shamrockmommy

Posted : 3/13/2010 6:38:45 PM

YOu absolutely did the right thing! Of course, I would be petrified I think to attempt confronting someone, I am a big weenie. Thank you for standing up for him.

I worry though, th elittle guy probably got the whipping of his life for embarrassing his family. :( There are so many better ways to be a parent and "discipline" than beating someone up.

cakana

Posted : 3/13/2010 6:39:55 PM

I completely agree with Gina. Do use good judgement when taking that kind of action. If you're not sure you can safely say anything, report it to security. Yeah, ya done good though Yes

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/13/2010 7:21:18 PM

Beejou -- the ultimate Callie-ism

YOU ROCK LADY!!!!!!

ron2

Posted : 3/13/2010 10:04:00 PM

I wish I could have been there with you. To paraphrase from Law and Order: Criminal Intent, I would "step into him," literally. And call the police. For those who don't know me, I have followed what seemed to be a drunk driver for 20 miles until they stopped at a gas station and the police could arrive. And then I waited in 20 degree weather until the police let me know that my service was no longer necessary.I will follow through. And pray, yes pray, that he's stupid enough to take a swing at me. Then, I would have the justification to solve that problem, permanently. Sorry, I cannot abide a bully.

miranadobe

Posted : 3/13/2010 10:20:37 PM

rwbeagles
Beejou
do I really need to mind my own business?
No one should mind their own business when a child is being hurt right in front of them ((hugs)) thank you.

Agreed.... morally, ethically, and apparently people aren't generally aware of this, but in pretty much every place I've lived you are LEGALLY obligated to report abuse against a child. I'm glad you had the guts those 20 other people standing around didn't have. Doing what's right isn't always the easiest, safest road... in fact, it rarely is both.

Beejou

Posted : 3/13/2010 11:39:30 PM

Thanks for the support, guys! I could not let him take that kid into the men's room and do something worse. As a matter of fact, I was hot on his heels and was going to right on in with him if he didn't stop. I can't believe how some people treat their children, I guess it's like people who beat their animals. It just doesn't make ANY sense to me. Why have something you claim to love and are responsibile to protect, and beat it?! The little boy maintained eye contact with me after his father turned him loose at one point and I gave him the gentlest look I could and sorta ignored the crap his dad was yelling at me. I hope he doesn't grow up and continue such a terrible cycle, I hope DCF steps in or something... I pray for that family to be healed everyday.

ETA: Ron, you're exactly right. This guy was nothing but a bully to beat up on a kid. I mean really!

mrstjohnson

Posted : 3/14/2010 8:34:47 AM

You are amazing!!! What you did sent chills down my back!!!

Beejou
little boy maintained eye contact with me after his father turned him loose at one point

Maybe this is the defying moment for his life when finally someone told him what is happening is wrong. This may break the cycle. So many times people don't know it isn't wrong. You may have changed this boys life forever. That is why you never mind your own business when it comes to the welfare of a child.

Again, thank you and shame on those that stood around and said nothing.

sl2crmeg

Posted : 3/14/2010 9:09:30 AM

I would have called 911, and then walked out of the store and given the dispatcher a description of their vehicle before they left. The tag number will be registered to an address, probably their home, and the police would have to follow up.

A similar incident happened to BF and I once - we were leaving one of our favorite lunch spots, and I was just about to pull of of the parking lot when BF noticed a grown man punching a teenage girl in the head and face, and shouting at her, in the parking lot across the street. The mom was just...standing there. It was one of the eeriest things I have ever seen. When we pulled into the parking lot, of course, the man stopped, but not before we wrote down their tag number and gave it to the dispatcher. We had to meet with the police officer and give a written statement. Come to find out the girl who was being hit is a 'friend of a friend' of BF's little brother and while the police did show up at their house, the entire family denied it all. Sad, but at least now there is a paper trail of complaints against that person.

Chuffy

Posted : 3/14/2010 11:15:53 AM

Thank you!! I wish more people had your courage. It's never out of line to speak out against abuse, and speak up for the defenseless. It would be wrong to stand by, IMO. I just feel sad for that poor little boy Crying

stardancnminpin

Posted : 3/14/2010 11:22:49 AM

I applaud you for stepping up to this little boy's defense. I would also say it is not too late to call DCF or police and tell them what you saw. Walmart should still have video footage of that day and police might be able to get a description of the car and plate to follow up. If they are doing that in public, God only knows what they are doing to him at home. I can't believe that the Walmart managers did not step up and call the cops....shame on them and kudos to you!

Chuffy

Posted : 3/14/2010 11:26:04 AM

stardancnminpin
I applaud you for stepping up to this little boy's defense. I would also say it is not too late to call DCF or police and tell them what you saw. Walmart should still have video footage of that day and police might be able to get a description of the car and plate to follow up. If they are doing that in public, God only knows what they are doing to him at home. I can't believe that the Walmart managers did not step up and call the cops....shame on them and kudos to you!

Yes... PLEASE do that. That crossed my mind too.... what must be going on at home??!!

the_gopher

Posted : 3/15/2010 9:18:24 AM

You were not out of line at all. My father was abusive to my brother (I honestly don't know if he ever laid a hand on me, my memory is not great from when I was a kid), and I do not stand for child abuse. At. All. I have confronted people and will continue to do so. Honestly, I'll protect myself as necessary - but my well being is secondary to that of a childs.

I've also stepped in once, when I was 11, and took a swing meant for my babysitter's son (it was his mother who was going to hit him). I'm NOT a confrontational person at all; I'm all about self preservation, but child abuse is one thing I will never sit on the sidelines for.

Thank you for doing that. I know how scary it can be. Reporting it to the authorities is also important. Starting that paper trail is so important.

DougB

Posted : 3/15/2010 10:46:28 AM

What you did took courage. A few seconds of shaking can cause serious injury to a child. You were there,and stepped up. A call to the police would have been a good finish, but most people wont even get involved. You did good.

If you do decide to call police, Wally world usually has everything on security cameras, and most keep the tapes for at least a week, some for a month.