With Christmas approaching, the pressure on families rises. Parents are busy buying gifts, preparing meals, and getting into the festive spirit.
However, amidst the joy, Christmas can also turn into a time of conflict and tension in some households.
In Oklahoma, mother Bridgette Payne went out to shop for gifts on December 16, leaving her 5-year-old son in the care of her boyfriend, Wesley McCollom.
Upon returning, Bridgette found her son already in bed, contrary to his usual routine. Wesley explained that he had put the boy to bed after he had opened some Christmas presents.
Upon checking on her son, Bridgette discovered bruises and a handprint on his cheek, as reported by The Miami Herald.
“Words cannot describe seeing your baby like that, and having no idea what happened,” Bridgette shared on social media.
When asked what had occurred, the boy simply said, “Wesley hurt me, mommy.”
Heartbroken by what she saw, Bridgette contacted the authorities. Police arrived at her home after 10 pm and arrested Wesley for child abuse and neglect, according to KJRH.
According to Bridgette, Wesley’s justification for his actions was that he wanted to “teach the boy a lesson” and that the child needed to “learn to listen.”
Having survived a violent relationship in the past, Bridgette was devastated by this incident and vowed to protect her son from such harm.
In a poignant post on social media, she expressed, “There’s evil in some people, and no one sees it, and that’s how it happened. If I could be somewhere else with my son, I wouldn’t hesitate.”
Her post quickly gained traction online, being shared over 8000 times in just a few days.
Every instance of child abuse is deeply disturbing.
No child should ever suffer abuse, regardless of the circumstances! Share if you agree!
Published by Newsner. Please like.
