Autistic child kept in cage. Parents arrested.
By The Horse
@TheHorse (206469)
Walnut Creek, California
April 25, 2024 4:01pm CST
As you know, I have recently become really interested in Autistic kids, and how to help them move forward. I have found that many Autistic children respond to music, and I want to advance this idea (not that the same hypothesis has not been stated before). I have two chapters about Autistic kids in my (not yet published) book.
This story is about how NOT to help an Autistic child along. I stumbled upon it just now. It resonates with me because I worked with a women who was abusive toward her Special Needs child. It is the same child who attacked me from behind with a water bottle, leaving me bruised and bloodied. His mother had beaten him mercilessly when he did wrong, and as a result, he is violent with his peers (and even adults, apparently).. He has been "kicked out" of every Special Needs school he has attended for attacking other children, and possibly teachers..
Don't worry. This dysfunctional situation has been reported to the police, licensing (the abusive mom runs a daycare), and Child Protective Services. But nothing has been done about it. The aggressive child is among toddlers at his mother's daycare to this day. I worry (literally) that a child will be killed.
I am an optimist. I believe that we can improve services for kids in need. But I do not have my head in the sand. Abuse of children has to be investigated more thoroughly, and more quickly, I feel.
Photo is of my friend "Harper," who the abusive lady told me NOT to pick up when she cried for me at 10-months of age (I did pro bono work for and helped her start her daycare, not knowing what I would experience). "She just wants attention." I have written about her in the past. Research shows that picking up a crying infant is a GOOD thing (Bell and Ainsworth, 1972 or so).
This is a distressing story. But it needs to be heard. Our kids need to be safe. What can we do to change things?
A Nevada couple was arrested on Tuesday after authorities found their 11-year-old son with autism held in a metal cage, wearing only a diaper with feces smeared on the cage's floor.
16 people like this
14 responses
@DianneN (247191)
• United States
26 Apr
Thank goodness that poor, innocent child was rescued. That woman is insane, and who knows how many other children she has abused in her daycare center. She belongs in prison.
I have worked as a special education teacher most of my career in education. Every autistic child is different, but they are all children and all precious. Child abuse has no place in society.
2 people like this
@marguicha (215818)
• Chile
25 Apr
My 101 year old aunt is (was) a social worker. She once told me that when she was working she had twice seen a child tied to a tree as a rabid dog. It probably was around 50 years ago or more. But still. She told me that in that time social workers had to talk a lot with the fathers of those children. Many would not untie them.
I don´t know what the child´s problem was.
I don´t know what the child´s problem was.2 people like this
@celticeagle (159474)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Apr
My gosh. Some people shouldn't have kids. When my grandson was born I set in the middle of my daughter's room at the hospital and held that dear child for hours. A nurse happened to pass by and I made the comment, "I guess I should give this little one back." She made some comment to the effect that I couldn't hold the babe long enough. I think that is bonding time. Little people are so innocent. It is crueler than cruel to be mean to a child. What we can do is make sure that in our corners of this world babies and all children are treated with love, care, and respect. We can only hope that the ripple effect takes place.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206469)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Apr
@celticeagle That's always my hope.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (48480)
• Mojave, California
26 Apr
Here is a thing we dealing with. If animals are a stepping stone to how you will treat your child. Our neighbors who just had a kid. Lock their dogs up in cages. They had one, took another, to wild got rid of it. Lets hope they gave it to someone. Then they got 2 puppies brothers and sisters. Then they got a puppy to breed with it to get more puppies. None of them allowed in house or rarely and keep them in a cage. Is that what they see for their kid. What profit they can make off of it. So sad!
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (48480)
• Mojave, California
26 Apr
@TheHorse Its not fun to listen to.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206469)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Apr
@crossbones27 I am glad I do not have to.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36504)
• Toccoa, Georgia
26 Apr
I honestly think some people should not have children.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36504)
• Toccoa, Georgia
26 Apr
@TheHorse some should be fixed. But I don't know how that could be enforced.
@LadyDuck (459210)
• Switzerland
26 Apr
This poor child was living a nightmare. I am so well he was rescued. Some people should not have children.
I remember you talked about the aggressive child among toddlers. I hope that the social workers intervene before a toddler is seriously hurt.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45591)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
26 Apr
"She just wants attention." -- Well, yeah, otherwise she would be happy sitting by herself.
As for the Scanlans... they should be locked up.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58214)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Apr
That's wrong on so many levels. I hope that child survies and he was rescued in time.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40902)
• Wapello, Iowa
26 Apr
Our kids need to be safe. What can we do to change things?
------------A good place to start might be in convincing many people here that child abuse is even worse than not kneeling during the National Anthem before a football game.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73725)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Apr
Well, my first reaction is that the mother should be shot on the spot. I sure hope this child has not been too damaged and can be helped, Her daycare needs to be shut down. I would be horrified to read this knowing my child had been at her daycare.
1 person likes this
@just4him (307136)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
26 Apr
The story is tragic. I'm glad the police arrested them. It's a shame they're already out on bail.
You do excellent work with the children.
@JudyEv (326127)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Apr
I was pleased when you got out of that place. I'm sure you were doing great things there but with such a 'boss' you didn't really have a chance to make much difference. At least that's how I see it.
@LindaOHio (157188)
• United States
26 Apr
Humans, and I use that term loosely, never cease to amaze me with their cruelty both to other people and animals. They should put the parents in a metal cage for an undetermined amount of time.
