Woman said hitting kids was permissible after she beat her 8-year-old stepson with a wooden paddle that eventually broke in half as punishment; arrested
Oklahoma – In a deeply troubling incident in Oklahoma, a father and his wife have been arrested after accusations surfaced about them brutally abusing an 8-year-old boy and subjecting him to inhumane living conditions. The father, 43-year-old J. Wiles, and his 30-year-old wife, M. Beard, face serious charges following the discovery of the abuse, which involved physical beatings and neglect.
Officers responded to a distressing call about child abuse at a local mobile home park on the evening of July 17. The call, made by a concerned neighbor just a block from the police station, led to the discovery of the young boy in a severe state of distress, exhibiting marks throughout his body and numerous bug bites, some of which appeared infected.
Upon investigation, the child revealed heartbreaking details of the abuse. He recounted instances where Beard, his stepmother, would quiz him on his reading and then physically punish him when he failed to answer correctly. The boy described how Beard told him to “bend over so she can give me a butt whoopin'” and would continue hitting, despite his pleas for her to stop. The abuse was so severe that he mentioned not feeling any sensation from his hips and upper and lower buttocks, indicating extensive physical trauma. The boy also told officers that Beard used a wooden paddle, a metal spatula, and a belt to discipline him. Tragically, he noted that his father was present during these episodes and did nothing to intervene.
When questioned, Beard showed police the broken wooden paddle she used, now wrapped in black electrical tape. She admitted to spanking the child because he lied, according to her account. Interestingly, Beard claimed that Child Protective Services (CPS) had informed her that hitting a child was permissible as long as it was done on the buttocks, a claim that raises serious questions about the advice and guidelines provided by child welfare agencies.
Police Chief M. Burns expressed his shock at the boy’s condition, describing the marks on his body as “the darkest black and blue I’ve ever seen” and noting that the child was “covered from head to toe” with bug bites. This visual testimony underscores the severity and cruelty of the neglect and abuse suffered by the child. Following their arrest, both Wiles and Beard were taken to the county’s detention center, each held on a $50,000 bond. They have been charged with two counts each of felony child neglect, and Beard faces an additional count of felony child abuse while Wiles is charged with enabling child abuse.
The community has been left reeling by the revelations, with many expressing outrage and deep sadness at the cruel treatment of a defenseless child. The case has also sparked a broader discussion on the oversight of child welfare practices and the responsibilities of parents and guardians in protecting the rights and well-being of children. As the legal process unfolds, there is a strong call for justice for the young victim, whose ordeal has highlighted the urgent need for vigilance and intervention in cases of child abuse and neglect. The hope is that this case will lead to stronger protections and a more robust response system to prevent such atrocities from occurring in the future.
