Authorities: Man Slapped Crying Toddler Several Times
Published: September 2, 2009
Updated: September 3, 2009
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. (AP) - Police say a 61-year-old man annoyed with a crying 2-year-old girl at a Wal-Mart slapped the toddler in the face several times.
Roger Stephens of Stone Mountain has been charged with felony cruelty to children and is being held without bond.
Authorities say the girl and her mother were shopping Tuesday when the toddler began crying. The police report says Stephens, a stranger, approached the mother and said, “If you don’t shut that baby up, I will shut her up for you.“
Authorities say Stephens then grabbed the 2-year-old and slapped her at least four times.
The child began screaming and Stephens was arrested. Police say an examination showed the girl’s face was slightly red.
Stephens was not represented by an attorney at his court hearing. A call to his home was unanswered Wednesday.
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Reader Reactions
I do not know how that mother could have kept herself from clawing his eyes out. I know that 2 wrongs do not make a right but you do not mess with a mama’s child. I am so glad that locked him up without bond.
I honestly hope noone ever tries that with my daughter. They would’ve needed an abulance for him had it been me.
Oh please..I am quite sure had this fool slapped my 2 year old grandbaby, there would have been one more beatdown in that Walmart. His old face would have been hanging in ribbons no matter what my outcome.
Wow… What is wrong with people today!? If I had been that mother I would have done a lot more than call the police. No one messes with your child!
How about adding aggravated assault to those charges. Sounds like he was guilty of that too.
If this had of happened to me and my child…there would have been two adults going to jail!! ME AND THE MAN WHO DID THIS!! Poor poor children of the world…what is wrong with people today!? Better yet…they may have had to wait till the man got outta the hospital before they could have arrested him!
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