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Roger Stephens: Man Slaps Child in Walmart
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by Jordan Yerman | September 3, 2009 at 07:27 am
9909 views | 23 Recommendations | 105 comments
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Roger Stephens was arrested for slapping a child in Wal-Mart. Not his child, either. When a two-year-old girl wouldn't stop crying in the Atlanta megastore, Roger Stephens threatened the mother, Sonya Mathews, with the old saw, "shut her up or I'll shut her up for you". (Has this ever worked in the past?) Roger Stephens then slapped the little girl in the face.
See, I told you I would shut her up,' he said to the mother after the attack, according to a police report.
Unsurprisingly, this attracted law enforcement attention. Roger Stephens was arrested on one count of child cruelty. The Daily Mail (see link above) has a mugshot, which is very unflattering and pretty much screams "curmudgeon".
Parents out there, what do you think? I'm not a dad myself, but if I was, and some dude did that to my daughter... let's just say there'd have been two arrests that day in Atlanta.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (105)
at 08:14 on September 3rd, 2009
Good, we need to have heroes stepping in when parents stand around with their thumbs up their self-centered asses instead of being courteous and shutting their own children up. I'd give this guy a medal.
at 08:39 on September 3rd, 2009
John Doe You must be a total idiot. What would you do if a stranger starting slapping your child around. If this guy is a hero to you..then your set of values are way under the table. I'll give you my name and address and you come and slap my 3 yr old. Your ass would be dead in 5 seconds. You made an arranant..ignorant statement and you should retract it. Give the guy a metal you said. I will give you a metal toe up your ignorant ass
at 21:39 on September 4th, 2009
Of course the guy was WRONG to do what he did. Very uncivil. And could easily have escalated into something really dangerous (already pretty dangerous). That said -- it's frustrating how willing folks are to permit their children to be really loud or bratty in public. Oh -- my brother-in-law would permit his kid to run around a mid-range restaurant -- just like so many other parents we've watched with curiosity over the years. So ... it's NOT just strangers' kids and parenting. It's epidemic. People just don't have a clue how to parent it seems. It's not clear they ever did. But lives are spent away from your own home a lot more than they used to be. So the failure to be good parents (or my view of what a "good parent") -- well -- it's really amplified in today's world. Like Howard Beal (spelling?) of the movie "Network," this guy simply got so mad that he just wasn't going to take it anymore. He did what so many imagine themselves doing -- but DON'T do (because it's uncivil and simply wrong to interfere so directly and personally and, umm, violently). The guy's mugshot looks a lot like the one-armed man in the movie Fugitive. Just interesting.
at 06:42 on September 8th, 2009
its all about restraint. at work there were screaming kids and i wanted to say to the parents what that guy said. it gets frustrating trying to work with a customers and the parents of the children are not capable or willing to keep their child under control in public. and thats a problem. this guy has balls but no restraint. but i do understand what he means. and cmon. screaming kids in airplanes. i doubt theres noone here that wouldnt want to say the same but just dont.
at 08:56 on September 3rd, 2009
Since when is hitting any toddler in the face the act of a "hero"? If any one in this scenario was acting in a self-centered way, it was the man who hit the child, since he was obviously only thinking of his own benefit. And how can you judge this child's mother? How do you know she tried nothing to stop the child's crying? My guess is you never had children of your own.
at 14:47 on September 4th, 2009
I am a parent of 3 children (2 boys and 1 girl), and cannot even imagine seeing any harm coming to my children. My wife and I have worked very hard to raise our children to be the very best they can be. During the children's early years we would not allow our children to be loud, scream, or disorderly in anyway in public. If a child would act up, we would promptly take the child to the restroom, or leave the establishment. I have been to places and have witnessed children screaming, and yelling, where the parent does not lift a finger to find out the problem, or resolve the issue at hand. I have spanked my children when needed, and believe allot of societies problem deal with parents not doing there jobs as parents. While on the other hand, the ability to be a parent has been reduced by society.. I believe the man should be held accountable for his actions, the mother should be held accountable for her lack of action, and Walmart should have asked her to leave if she could not control her child. She clearly does not want to have the responsibility of her child, and the man should not have raised his hand to the child.
at 22:42 on September 4th, 2009
Marcone- Well aren't you just the picture perfect parent in all you self righteous glory! I have been that mom at Wal*Mart with a sick and crying 2 year old. I lived in a town where I was new, knew no one and my husband worked 55 hours plus a week. My daughter was sick and needed medicine and juice, I had no choice put to take her miserably to Wal*mart with me. While you may be the perfet parent in the shiniest household on the block with all the answers- not everyone lives behind your rosy red glasses. Before you condem this poor woman to lazy parenting and hold her as a model for all of socities poor parenting isses maybe you should learn to have compassion and love for your neighbors who may be in tough situations. Congratulations for being perfect. I know not a single other person who is, well besides Christ himself.
at 17:54 on September 22nd, 2009
I always tried to leave, or go to the bathroom or something when my child acted up. Especially at that age, you may not have a choice. My husbands job took him out of town alot, and there were times that we had spent the morning at the doctor, he'd had blood work done, and I'm given prescriptions he needs now. So I had to take him with me, and he was an unhappy child the whole time. And yes, sometimes he screamed, because he was unwell and didn't have the understanding of why mom couldn't make it better.Regardless, if a child is screaming, and some stranger slaps them, I can just about promise it's not going to make the child stop screaming. It's actually probably going to get much, much worse, especially in a child that young
at 15:32 on September 4th, 2009
If he had kids he probably did slap the hell out of them.
at 10:00 on September 3rd, 2009
Your an idiot John Doe! Someone should slap you!!!
at 10:03 on September 3rd, 2009
Your an idiot John Doe! Someone should slap you!!!
at 12:26 on September 3rd, 2009
You are so stupid, Its not no one else's JOB to put their hands on somebody else's child!!!!!! Some parents discipline diffirent. My little girl cries sometimes, but I damn show is not gonna let any one put their hands on her! I am her to protect her from IDIOTS like you and him....
at 22:04 on September 3rd, 2009
That is what they would be calling you at the coroners office if you have the nerve to touch one of my kids or grandchildren!! kids are kids and if they are tired or hungry and have a fit so what! this old fart needs to learn to keep hands off other peoples children, I hope when he gets to jail someone bitch slaps his ugly face!
at 03:54 on September 4th, 2009
I would have probably shaked the mans hand. I get so tired of going into stores, resturants or any other place and the children are crying and screaming and running around, while the parents just ignore them. I do not have children by choice because I don't want to hear it. If parents can not control thier children in public places they should be kicked out.
at 09:10 on September 4th, 2009
So, if you can't handle the world around you, then go back to your childless home and shut yourself off from the world... I mean, come up there are annoying people all over the place at concerts, restaurants, stores, etc. You have the freedom to avoid it by leaving the places you don't seem able to deal with.
at 18:19 on September 4th, 2009
You are an idiot Sandy M. Why not learn how to speak English before you talk about shaking hands. Fool come try to slap one of my kids you wouldn't have anymore hands to shake. Kids cry that's what they do! If you don't like it don't have kids.
at 09:26 on September 9th, 2009
Sande M. Thank you for not having kids.
WTH, this was a little toddler, maybe she was sick and mommy had to take her to walmart while she picked up an RX. Maybe she just got a vaccination and wasn't feeling so good. Maybe she missed her nap, or maybe she was hungry or even just bored. Being assaulted was not the answer!
I tried very hard not to have my kids in a store with me under those circumstances but as a single, working mom sometimes life got in the way of my best intentions. I will even admit I hate listening to little kids screaming as they are pushed around the store in a cart as their parents ignore them, but that doesn't mean I ever thought of taking my dislike of the noise out on the child. Realistically what is a tot in the cart supposed to do? It's not like they can say "Hand over the keys, I''ll come back for you after I eat."
There have been a very few times in a store where the same crying child turns up in whatever isle I'm in, over and over; as if I'm being stalked and I have said to the parent, "Oh, poor baby, sounds like s/he is hungry, tired...." Trying to give the parent a gentle nudge towards thinking about the needs of the child.
There have been times when I can hear the same kid, all over the store. On those days, I figure I am the one having issues and it is time for me to leave; it NEVER EVER warrants an assault!
at 05:59 on October 1st, 2009
It's probably a very good thing that you don't have children.
at 14:07 on September 4th, 2009
John Doe, I agree with you completely. Many times I have wanted to slap the face of screaming kids AND the parents. Kudos to the man that did it in Walmarts. There are plenty of other mothers who have very well behaved children who don't act out in public. I have joined a boycott of Walmart because of the screaming kids. I think parents who have screaming kids in public should be charged with child abuse. There is no excuse for parents to neglect their kids if they're screaming. They could be in pain or something. In my opinion, it's child abuse. I think these parents will pay the price for their negligence because their kids will most likely become lawbreakers because of their abuse. By the way I am the mother of 4 adult children and I never would have tolerated them acting that way in public. They all turned out to be very productive citizens.
at 21:11 on September 4th, 2009
There is a difference between a screaming child who is throwing a fit and one who is pain. If a child is screaming in pain and the parents are ignoring them, than absolutely it is child abuse. This kid in Walmart wasn't in pain, she was annoying a moron who could control his emotions no better than a 2 year old. You say kudos to a man who physically abused a child and you want to bring child abuse charges against the parents for supposedly letting their child throw a fit? Your priorities are out of whack.
Kudos to you for having raised four productive citizens. Were they born perfect? Or did you have to work at that?
at 10:27 on September 9th, 2009
Gotta wonder if those kids came out of the womb already for college or if time has altered the past and softened the edges of normal toddler behavior.
How does a child learn to behave in public without ever making a mistake?
For as long as I live I will never forget taking my 3 year old to the Post Office shortly after I had back surgery. He was still feeling the effects of having mommy gone for 2 weeks and was not on his best behavior. But he had never acted out to the extent he did that day!!
Right as the line moved us in the door, he flopped belly down on the floor to stick his finger in the hole where they drop the metal post to lock the door. No matter what I said he would not get up and he knew there was nothing I could do about it. After I had let several people go past us he decided he would move forward, like a snake slithering across the floor. Then he started touching peoples shoes and ankles! He never acknowledged my presence or anything I said to him!!
There were people in front of me and behind me, offering to beat him for me. Others just gave me nasty looks as if I was a horrible mother with an out of control child. Yet, not one person offered to help me and believe me after the first 30 seconds of him on the floor if anyone had offered to carry him to my car or even stand him up. I would have taken them up on it and taken him home!!
at 06:52 on September 5th, 2009
Surferwomen, you are an IDIOT! You boycott walmart for what? lady get a life, somebody need to slap you for making a dumb remark like that.
at 08:06 on September 5th, 2009
Ya surferwoman...your kids grew up so great probably because you beat the crap out of them if they misbehaved! I have almost 3 adult children myself. The last one is only 14. I had good days and bad days with them in public. This man should be branded a child abuser. Why is it ok that he slap a 2 yr old, and some one who steals a child to physically and mentally abuse a child needs to be sent to the electric chair!!!! Its just not right for anyone to do, or say how parents should raise or disipline their children!
at 10:31 on September 9th, 2009
Better than a brand where can that guy go where his mug won't be recognized? Plastic surgery is his only hope.
at 16:12 on September 4th, 2009
Hey, asshole! It's a 2-year-old kid! 2-year-old kids cry, alright? Kids need comfort when they're crying, NOT abuse from a stranger! What that guy did was flat out WRONG and there is absolutely no excuse for it. It's pathetic how you're defending him. Go screw yourself.
at 19:36 on September 4th, 2009
Yeah, takes a real hero to hit a defenseless baby. Lame.
at 06:41 on September 5th, 2009
Oh!! goodness John Doe you defently have the right name to fit your missing profile.
at 14:57 on September 5th, 2009
Regardless of how parents do or don't discipline their children.....come slap my child and they'll find your dead, naked body upside down in a ditch. That lady should have taken him down!!!!
at 16:41 on September 14th, 2009
Goody for "John Doe" who was raised by wolves apparently. Crawl back to your childless life. As a parent of a special/high needs child. My 3 yr old child b/c of sensory issues or we just not giving in to their wants will cry or be loud etc. THIS IS LIFE!! it is messy and loud. Dont parent other ppls kids! Everyone has a story etc. You have legs WALK AWAY or order your stuff online.
at 08:45 on September 3rd, 2009
First of all no body has the right to put their hands on someone elses child and second what the f was the mama looking at when the man grabbed her child and slapped her and third that man would have gotten his head knocked off.