Could You Torture Your Child??? Or Any Child???

@LadyMarissa (12148)
United States
October 20, 2008 2:41pm CST
In a town about 100-150 miles from my home, a 9 year old boy came running up to a garage for HELP!!! It seems his mom & stepdad were lacing a belt with push pins & beating him with it. As if that weren't enough, they would make him stand on his tiptoes & they would place push pins in the souls of his shoes, then place a heavy can of food in each hand & make him hold his arms straight out. When he got too tired to stand on his toes his little feet would collapse onto the push pins. He had over 100 pin holes in the bottoms of his feet. The mom just shrugged it off as she had made a mistake. A mistake??? One of the officers called out to handle this case said this is the worst torture he had seen since prisoners of war in the Vietnam War. This child has one brother & 2 sisters & mom is 8 months pregnant. He was the only one tortured. How can any mother be so cruel??? I know children can be frustrating sometimes, but how the hell does a mother (or any other adult) justify in their mind to torture a child in such a manner??? What would be your suggestion on a punishment befitting such a beast??? My idea is to make the mom & stepdad stand on their toes with the push pins in their shoes & hold 20 pound dumbbells & beat them with the same belt used on this little guy. Once they collapse into their shoes, I 'd do it all over again right away while they were still tired. Does that make me as sick as these monsters???
9 people like this
41 responses
@p1kef1sh (45681)
20 Oct 08
The desire for revenge lies within us all. I think that you'd not be human if you didn't feel just a little disgust for this heinous act. Poor boy. What is awful though is that now this child will see his parents taken away and he and his sisters will probably end up in children's homes miles apart. More cruelty on top of what he has already suffered. But the parents I am afraid need to be locked away for many years. I doubt that they can be rehabilitated.
3 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
21 Oct 08
I don't feel the need for revenge for myself. I feel the need for revenge for this child. In rethinking, children are such amazing creatures that he has probably already forgiven these beasts. The one thing not told yet is which child belongs to which parent. My guess is that he is the ONLY stepchild & the other 3 belong to the mom & dad. The biological dad has not been mentioned!!! That leads me back to the rant on the mom. How can a mother be convinced that it is alright to torture one of her children??? How can she be so cavalier & arrogant enough to respond I made a mistake??? A mistake is letting the child jump on the bed & fall off. Putting push pins in his shoes & making him step on them is just pure meanness!!! I just cannot imagine the thought process to even get to this one.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
21 Oct 08
Me neither. I am afraid that there are some very sick and twisted people out there who somehow manage to rationalise their torture of children with a sense of acceptable punishment. Thanks you for the profile page comment by the way. I am trying to be!
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
22 Oct 08
As you always are!!! I have been soooo proud of you!!!
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Oct 08
I would never abuse a child or animal. I would defend either if I saw abuse going on. As for what those scum sucking leeches did, they should be grateful that I have no way of getting to where they are or they would find out what pain is. Just because (some) people have the ABILITY to be parents, doesn't mean they should have the OPPORTUNITY!
2 people like this
• United States
23 Oct 08
Hi Hatley. Thank you for responding. I think I would be slightly more extreme than you for how to determine if one is "fit" for parenting. Obtaining a license or giving mandatory classes to help one "learn" to be a parent really isn't (in my opinion) the best approach. Why? Because you know some people are really great in schools or with taking tests, that doesn't mean because they know the answers to the questions, that they're qualified to be parents. There's no real way that I can think of to determine the proper way to evaluate if one is fit for parenting or not - aside from trial and error, sadly. BUT, if abuse or neglect occurs, especially one this blatant and horrendous, then BOTH parents (if they are both in the lives of the child) need to be sterilized and have their child(ren) removed instantly. There's too much of this going on in the US and abroad to have just a simple means of removing the child. That won't stop them from possibily making another and doing it all over again. Stop the problem at its source.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
20 Oct 08
This is sick...and I agree with you..an eye for an eye or a pushpin for a push pin. Those are sadistic people who are mentally very sick. Read a book by Dave Pelzer - it is either 'a child called it' or a 'boy called it'. Same circumstances but different form of torture.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
21 Oct 08
hidebs I read a child called It and the one Dave wrote about his life as a young adult. I cried a lot while I read that, and the one following, dont remember its name but there are three now that Dave Pelzer wrote, I used to work in our local library shelving books, so found those three and read them all. He is a wonder to have come through all that and be as intelligent and everything as he is. wow.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
23 Oct 08
I just put those on my reading list with my local library. Thank you for the recommendation!!!
1 person likes this
@coffeeshot (3783)
• Australia
20 Oct 08
No, you're expressing your anger at these 'parents' and your sympathy for the little boy. I honestly hope that their other children including the unborn child are taken away and put into foster care. To be able to do something like that to your child, or any child for that matter is a sick, sick thing and there is something not right int he head with these people. It is unnatural for a human to be able to do this to someone else. Do you know any further information on this story? What charges will these people face and what is the future of the children? Please don't tell me the little boy is still with these sickos...
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
23 Oct 08
The local news in their infinite wisdom has gone on to other news items. At last report, the children were being removed from the home & being moved to a "better" place by the Department of Social Services. I am only assuming this part as nothing different was ever reported, but it seems that it was only the one child that was abused. I'm sure that if any of the other children had been abused, the news would have been all over it. I feel just as much sorrow for the other siblings as the parents they love & felt love from has been ripped from them. Unfortunately, from the stories I've heard, being in the DSS system is not much better than being with abusive parents. I put in an application to become this little boy's foster mother. The bureaucratic red tape is unbelievable. I just hope these children end up in a better home. A home full of love & caring.
1 person likes this
20 Oct 08
Hi LadyMarissa, I would do the same thing to those two monsters, I would take away their children and when she give birth to the child I would take the baby away from them and give hi the chop(snip) and tie her wombs up for good. Tamara
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
22 Oct 08
I could give him the chop...minus the thought of a snip. Remove it completely!!! Botch hers so bad she is in pain for the rest of her life!!! Then I think I could become sadistic. I'm sorry, I have NO patience for lowlifes like these two!!!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
20 Oct 08
Definitely not! I wouldn't even torture an animal how much more a child?? That's not punishment anymore that's child abuse. When I was younger, I was spanked and that's as bad as my punishment would get. This right here is just disturbing. As a punishment, I think they should be tortured the same way but in public.
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
23 Oct 08
I grew up with spankings also. I must say I was spanked with LOVE (if that makes any sense)!!! I cannot even imagine what it was like for this little guy!!!
1 person likes this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
20 Oct 08
Oh how horrible!! My heart breaks for the little boy. No, I do not think you are as sick as those monsters who did this to the child. I agree with you on the punishment but be sure this is all done in jail and also let the other inmates know why these two low lifes are in there. I hear they really do frown upon people who harm children. I am so glad the little boy ran for help. As soon as that baby is born that lady don't even need to set eyes on it. They all need to be in a loving home.
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
21 Oct 08
Fortunately I have never had the experience of even spending a night in jail. I have worked with people who have just gotten out of jail. They all tell me that the prisoners cannot stand child abusers & have their own justice system to deal with them. I don’t care what is done to these two adults, it won’t be enough!!! I’d think it was a mental disorder if they had done it to ALL 4 of the children. But, they seemed to just pick on the one child. That makes me think that maybe he is the only stepchild for the dad of the house & the rest were his biological children. That still does NOT excuse him!!! And it definitely does NOT excuse the mother!!! I feel sorry for the 3 remaining children who will be ripped away from their family & placed in foster homes. The stories I have heard of the foster homes is not much better than the home they are leaving. It might not be the physical abuse; however, it is abuse nonetheless
1 person likes this
@littleowl (7157)
21 Oct 08
Hi LadyM-that is disgusting and no you are in no way as bad as the two brutes who did that to this poor boy in thinking of doing the sam to the parents,,so would I, I hope they get sentenced and the children go somewhere safe where they can be treated as childrren. This poor little boy is going to be scarred for life..I just hope he is given a family he can stay with whom will be able to help and love him..the Mother I hope is ashamed with herself..littleowl
1 person likes this
@littleowl (7157)
21 Oct 08
That crossed my mind but if she is sentenced I don't know what they will do, really it is now down to the courts and the judge..it is abuse to a child and that is a serious offence so will have to wait and see...but my heart breaks for the little boy who was tortured so and his siblings too as what is going to happen in this situatation...hopefully they will be taken away from their mother and be able to live somewhere they will be safe and loved...hugs littleowl
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
21 Oct 08
oh littleowl my heart breaks for that unborn baby, surely they will not let the mom keep that dear precious little baby?
@dodo19 (47043)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
10 Nov 08
It really sickens me to think that some people can hit children. It pains me just to think of it. No matter how mad I am at a child, I don't think I could ever do that. I don't think I could ever be mad enough to do such an awful thing to a child. I've worked with kids and, at times, I would have to punish them, like send them in the corner type of thing. At times, it was difficult for me to just do that. It's really awful what some people are willing to do to children, when all they really ask for is love and attention.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
10 Nov 08
Yes, they are SICK!!! Since they initially went to court I have heard very little about their status. The child was put into a foster home. I just pray it is a good home that gives him the love & patience he will be needing. I feel so sorry for this little guy. I just cannot imagine what was going through his mother's head as she was torturing him. Even if she hated his biological dad, it was NOT the child's fault!!!
1 person likes this
@Barbietre (1438)
• United States
20 Oct 08
Wow, are these people even human? I wonder sometimes if some people should not be allowed to have children. With so much child abuse going on, it makes you wonder. I know sometimes we will spank out children or sometimes hit them and then regret it, but that is a far cry for something like this. Most of us are human and make mistakes, but this was deliberate. All of their children should be taken away.
2 people like this
@mojcica (1511)
• Slovenia
20 Oct 08
I dont belive in punishing children phisicly, not even slapping them. This is however not punishing but cruel torture for their own enjoyment and is just sick. The mother is to be taken away from their kids and placed in a prison. As far as I know they dont treat child molester nicely there, so im sure she'd be punished enough. But that would be the reasonalble thing to do. What i would really want to do to them is the same they did to that poor child, or something even worse and more horiffic. They did not only phisicly hurt him but also emotionaly, the child does not know what and why this is happening and I just cant imagine how scared he must have been. Trust me your reaction can not make you equally sick as those people, its just a natural reaction and I would torture them also.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
22 Oct 08
I was raised that a spanking when a child is misbehaving was ONLY for attitude adjustment. Both my brother & I grew up mentally healthy with our butts busted when we knew we were wrong. We were never beaten with a belt, we were never tortured. We always understood that when we were spanked it was done with pure love & affection from 2 parents who wanted us to learn the right way to go. I'm sure there were times that either or both wanted to throttle us, but they NEVER did!!! I NEVER felt a smack out of anger. However, I did feel I had disappointed them when I did wrong. What was done to this little boy was NOT done with love & affection, but pure spite. I wonder if the mother is not blaming him for ruining her life for even being born...even though she was the one who did NOT keep her legs together!!! Every time I speak of this I just get madder & madder. Part of me hopes I'm approved to be his foster mom & part hopes he gets better!!!
1 person likes this
@lisa0502 (1724)
• Canada
20 Oct 08
No kidding that this is a sick woman. I have a boy who tests me to the limits but doing something like that is unimaginable. I would have to agree with you on what their punishment should be. I do not think that you are a monster for feeling this way. The sad part about all of this is that the boy will have to live with this for the rest of his life and they will not be punished enough in my opinion.
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
22 Oct 08
I have said more than one prayer that this child goes to a family with a HUGE heart & a TON of LOVE to give!!! I just wonder how somebody did not notice that this child was walking strange after one of his sessions. It seems that he would have been limping terribly.
1 person likes this
@lilfret (81)
• United States
20 Oct 08
thats horrible i could nvr get pissed of enough to hurt them physically
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
20 Oct 08
I was raised that if you spare the rod, you spoil the child; but abuse like this was NOT what spanking is all about. There is a difference between spanking & outright abuse!!!
• Germany
20 Oct 08
This is one of the most sadistic things I have ever read. I can not even believe people could do this to their child. (or any child for that matter) It is sick. I would think the only way to "justify" it would be a psychological disorder. As for punishment, in child abuse cases, I believe an eye for an eye. I don't think it makes you sick at all. I am all for your idea. :) Some people just really shouldn't have children if they are going to treat them this way.
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
22 Oct 08
I might agree that it's a psychological disorder if they had done something this sadistic to ALL the children. But, to single out just one child (out of 4) in my mind rules out a psychological disorder. There is NO punishment reflective of the abuse these 2 people should endure. I just pray that the other prisoners take care of these 2!!!
1 person likes this
@shooie (4984)
• United States
21 Oct 08
I watch my grandkids and yes they drive me nuts sometimes but not to the point of beating or doing any ugly thing to them. They are a gift to us. I think everything these parents did to this poor child should be done to them but 10 fold more. Lock them up because one thing is prison they do not like other prisoners that are locked up with them that are child abusers. I think if you are a child abusere it should be tattoo'd to your forehead or any crime you are convicted for that hurts anyone physically. I hope they took the kid away and they never get the child back.
@okwusman1 (2247)
• Abuja, Nigeria
21 Oct 08
Yes, i can turture my child if she disobeys or have bad conduct or unruly behaviour. spare the rod and spoil the child, i will rather use the rod and make a child. i can also turture any child if she or he is colse to me or relates to me and he does something that is wrong.
• Ghana
21 Oct 08
dont you think that torture is a very strong word to use in your circumstance? it kind of scares me
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
21 Oct 08
I agree that these monsters should feel what this poor child is feeling, and then some. I do not usually believe that two wrongs make a right, but when it comes abusing children, especially to this level, I think all rules are out of the window!! I would take everyone of those children from these parents! How horrible!! That poor kid, I hope that he gets major counseling because he will need it.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 08
I really am wondering why he was tortured like this... I am not saying that the other kid should have been.. but, why was he singled out to be thee target... so weird...I wonder if the other kids were his step dads kids,a nd he was the only stepson.. I think that this woman needs to have all her children taken off of her.. And the step dad also!
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
21 Oct 08
My guess is he’s the only child who is not the biological child of the current dad. They have not even mentioned the child’s biological dad & he’s not been on air commenting to how terrible his son has been treated. The mom is only 27 years old & I wonder when she got pregnant at 17 if she even told the dad that she was pregnant. So this poor child has NO ONE to care about him. Thinking of it, NO grandparent has come forward either. I find it truly sad that this child has not one loving person in his life!!! Our dogs are treated better than that!!!
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
21 Oct 08
This is one of those instances when I actually think that people shouldn't have kids. I'm just disgusted right now. When I was a child, I was threatened with spanking when I was being naughty but no finger was ever laid on me. Both mother and stepfather should be punished but I think they're way too gone off the edge to actually learn from all these. Argh!
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Oct 08
you see these things happening in our nieghborhoods and the courts keep giving the kids back to thier parents while everyone wails about the treatment in "Club Gitmo" where prisoners get gourmet meals, Special consideration for religious clothing and customs and plenty of fresh air. The "system" tears children from good homes over a spanking and p[arents like this, while they may lose thier kids, will probably get a slap on the wrists and be back on the streeet popping out more babies a few months later. They might even end up teaching at your local preschool with thier records hidden for privacy reasons. Loud music, Lights on all night, Cold temps and hot temps make sleep uncomforable. Congress calls this torture and protects parents like these to keep families intact. What they call Gitmo torture i call being a trucker. Outside of Waterboarding(which is what should be done to this mother after she gives birth) i don't see the problem. Lets turn these prisoners over to the fostercare system and see how quick they talk.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
21 Oct 08
Waterboarding would be waaaay too kind for these two parents (& believe me, when I say parent, I use that term lightly)!!!. It saddens me even more that these children will be placed in a foster care system which is not much better than their home life. It seems not ALL those who take in foster children do it for the love. One couple in my church adopted 17 special needs children. Every year we held a special ceremony to praise them for their efforts. They stood in front of the whole church telling us how God had blessed them with each bundle of joy!!! The father was named “Father of the Year” by the state. Within the next 12 months, one of the children ran away & when he was found, he told horrid stories of what these people had been doing to him. The other 16 children confirmed his story. As it turned out, those people had been systematically abusing each of the 17 children. Seems they felt, that by taking special needs children, the children would never be able to tell on them & the courts wouldn’t believe the children if they did. The courts returned all 17 of these children to the same foster parents with court supervision. Since then it has remained very quiet about these children’s situation. The church never mentions them as the parents left the church I don’t know if this is because things straightened out or if nobody is watching now.
1 person likes this