Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in September 2016.
In a shocking incident at a Cleveland Walmart, police are actively investigating after photos surfaced on social media depicting a man allegedly forcefully gripping his daughter’s hair onto a shopping cart.
Erika Burch and her husband, Robert Burch, were eyewitnesses to the distressing scene that unfolded on a Monday afternoon. Erika Burch described the man’s actions as dragging the little girl by her hair, with the child pleading, “Please stop. I promise I won’t do it again. Please stop!”
Upon witnessing this, Erika Burch promptly took several photos of the man and the distressed child. She courageously confronted the man, urging him to release the girl’s hair, to which he defiantly responded, “No, you need to mind your own business.”
Robert Burch expressed his shock, stating, “He dragged that baby around the store.”
Another Walmart shopper, Ora Schumann, also observed the incident, noting that the man seemed angered because the child wasn’t standing close to the shopping cart. According to Schumann, the man grabbed the girl by her hair, pulled her toward the basket, and reprimanded her. The child apologized, saying, “I’m sorry I won’t do that again, I’m sorry.”
Erika Burch took immediate action by calling the police, expressing deep concern for the well-being of the child. Cleveland Police Chief Darrel Broussard expressed his own concern, stating that they are actively collaborating with Child Protective Services (CPS) on the ongoing investigation.
CPS informed KPRC 2 that they are scrutinizing the household to determine if there are other children and investigating whether the man in the photo exhibits a “pattern of behavior.”
The photos shared by Erika Burch on Facebook have garnered significant attention, amassing over 18,000 shares. Numerous individuals expressed their distress and concern for the child’s well-being, with one user writing, “This is so sad. I feel awful for that poor baby girl. I hope this gets investigated further.”
Some commenters emphasized the severity of the situation, with one stating, “No matter what a child does, you never pull them by their hair.”
However, opinions on the disciplinary methods varied. While some disagreed with the man’s actions, others cautioned against quick judgment. “While I do not agree with his methods, I’m not judging him either. The child perhaps needed some discipline, and he made his choice,” remarked one user.
As of now, no charges have been filed, and the investigation remains ongoing. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about parental discipline and appropriate actions in public spaces.
