44-year-old father told his 11-year-old son “to take a knife and stab it in the neck and pull it out that way” when he asked for meal then called 911 saying the boy “was being unruly;” arrested
South Carolina – In a shocking incident that has stunned South Carolina and renewed concerns about child safety and domestic brutality, a 44‑year-old man, identified as T. Baker, has been arrested after threatening his own son in a terrifying outburst. The father was taken into custody and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child, following a harrowing incident that left his 11‑year-old son afraid for his life.
Law enforcement officials from the Sheriff’s Office say that Baker’s offenses stem not from a single heated moment, but from prolonged and severe verbal and physical threats. Court records show that deputies received a 911 call from Baker, claiming his son was “being unruly” and demanding the child be removed from the home. However, investigators say the reality was far darker and that Baker had repeatedly threatened and terrorized his young son, using extreme language and violent commands when the boy simply asked for a meal. Those threats, paired with documented evidence captured on video, formed the basis for the felony charge of unlawful conduct toward a child.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the 11-year-old child told deputies that on the day in question he had asked his father for something to eat. But instead of kindness, he was met with aggression. The boy said Baker lashed out with profanity, ordering him to “get the f**k out of my room or I’m going to wreck your f*****g face.” Then came the chilling command: “you need to take a knife and stab it in the neck and pull it out that way.” The child reportedly recoiled in fear only to hear Baker add something even more horrifying: “If you are on fire, I’ll pour gas on you so you burn even more.”
Terrified, the child fled and hid. Neighbors, distressed by what they saw, contacted authorities, saying the child “appeared to be hiding when cars passed,” prompting a swift police response. Deputies arrived and found the boy shaken, visibly frightened, and reluctant to return home. He told police he was attempting to run away because he believed his father wanted to kill him. The available evidence included video footage of Baker’s tirade, making the accusations concrete and indisputable.
Baker was arrested on November 22 and booked into jail. The following day, a judge set his bond at $25,000. As of the latest court filings, he had not posted bond. Meanwhile, the child was placed with a family member, and the state child‑welfare agency was notified to ensure his safety and well‑being. Public officials and local advocates emphasized the cruelty of the act. As one sheriff’s official noted after reviewing the video, the boy didn’t even receive a “stone” when he asked for bread — referencing a well‑known biblical phrase to underscore how basic and decent the child’s request had been, and how horribly it was twisted into violence.
The case remains open, and social workers are investigating whether other children in the household may have been affected. Authorities have urged anyone with further information about possible abuse or neglect in the community to come forward. This incident stands as a stark reminder of how quickly parental authority can become terror when anger and abuse go unchecked. The image of a child begging for nourishment — only to be told to stab himself — horrifies most people. The fact that a parent could weaponize a knife and fuel talk of self‑harm and violence in response to a child’s needs has outraged neighbors, child‑safety advocates, and the local community alike.
Moreover, this case highlights systemic issues: how easily a child can be trapped in fear, how abuse may hide behind closed doors, and how essential it is for communities to stay vigilant. For this boy, escape became survival. For the father, arrest has become accountability — but the emotional and psychological scars inflicted on the child may last much longer. As court proceedings advance and the truth continues to unravel, one fact remains undeniable: what began as a request for a meal became a horrifying, life‑threatening episode — and now, thanks to intervention and courage, a child has been saved from further harm, and a parent faces the full weight of the law.
