Yes, I did discipline my son by smacking him in the mouth, he's being really disrespectful right now. Then he started talking back saying I'm a bad mom, I hate you and so you know, the normal kid stuff. You need to stop, you're 10 years old, you shouldn't be crying like this. She full on hit him right in the eye. On February 6th, 2025 officers responded to Walmart following reports of a physical altercation between a mother and her 10-year-old son. The incident reportedly began after a disagreement over the child pushing a shopping cart, which escalated when the mother smacked her son in the mouth during the argument. >> Okay, we're going to head in and then I'll get your statement out here. Okay, thank you. Yep, thank you. Bye. Hello. Hi, my name is Officer Mitchell with the Farmington Police Department. Do you guys want to finish or do you want to wait till you get outside? May I ask what this is about, Officer? Yeah, so do you want to do this outside or right now? I mean, I can stand and do this like >> Okay. I don't know what they told you, I don't know what you saw. But yes, I did discipline my son by smacking him in the mouth, he's being really disrespectful right now. Mhm. And as I told the other guys, we're just Yeah, almost done, we're going to go home. Okay. Because he's been real mouthy and real disrespectful throughout the whole time we were in here. So, that was just only the one time and like I told him, he's fine, we're okay. I'm just getting the stuff that we need so we can go home and make dinner cuz this one needs to be in bed by 8:00 so he can wake up early for school tomorrow. All right, so do you want to finish that we'll take talk outside? I might be detained so You are. Yep, you are. May I reach into my purse and get my cell phone? Yeah, go ahead. He'll be here soon, he's over at the fine fitness. Okay. And he's going to pick him up and take him home. Okay. May I ask if this is going to be a 24-hour hold or anything like that? The reason why I ask is cuz I work at the casino and I have to let them know if I'm being detained. Mhm. So So, what I'm going to do is I just want to get your statement and get his statement. Okay. All right, so right now you're just detained. I'm not going to put you in handcuffs for now. If you can save that video footage for us, cuz we're going to look at it after we get their statements. Okay. And then we'll go from there. So, we'll go over here. Okay. So, let us get your statement first. >> Okay. And you've already talked with kiddo. Mhm. Do you have your ID on you? Yes. May I reach into your pocket? >> that's fine. Go Here you are, sir. Okay. And then I'll I'll talk to you over here. Just that way we're away from him. So, what happened between you guys? So, as far as me and my son, we were just walking in like normal. Mhm. And everything was fine up until we got into the back. Um when we got into the back, um I had gotten after him for saying what the and he was going to cuss out the end. Mhm. And so, I told him, "No, we don't do that." And it just progressed from there and I took the cart. So, since he was very upset that I took the cart, he um was like, "Well, it's not fair. It's not fair. Give me the cart. You said I could push it." And I'm like, "No, we're done. We're We're just getting what we need." And so, then um started crying. I was like, "You need to stop. You need to stop crying." Mhm. And I was like, "You're 10 years old. Go over there. Go over there. Go go cry over there." And he just kept crying and following me, which you know, all kids do. Right. And so, I was like, "Okay. Well, you need to I was like, "Damien, you need to stop." And I was getting pretty frustrated, so I was trying to separate. Then he started talking back saying, "I'm a bad mom. I hate you." And I'm So, you know, the normal kid stuff. So, let me just advise you of your rights, cuz I'm I have to ask you specific questions. All right. It doesn't mean you're going to jail or you're in trouble. I just have to ask some questions that pertain to the matter. Right. So, you have the right to remain silent. Do you understand? Yes. Okay. How do you usually discipline your kids? Normally, he settles down pretty quick and he understands that that when mommy says no, it's no. But today, it's coupled with a bit more tiredness. He was frustrated from the skateboard cuz we were over there. Okay. I actually have a couple of pictures from him doing that. So, that's just literally all of it coupled together and that I said no, that we're not going to eat out. He was trying to re-explain over and over why he should push push the cart and it just like I said it progressed from there. So, he was trying to push the cart? Yeah, he was trying to push the cart and I told him no cuz he was already getting When he gets upset he starts ramming things, start kicking at which he already did also kick too when we were in the baking aisle and I was like that's not He kicked the what? >> He kicked the cart. >> Okay. And I was like that's not now because he does it when I'm not looking and I like now that I'm not looking at you now that I'm looking at you do it again. Mhm. And just to kind of break like you need to stop that. And so it's like okay. And then so we went to the meat aisle and I was like we need to go get some meat. You need to stop. You're 10 years old you shouldn't be crying like this. And so then that's when the manager came and he claimed that that a guest or not a guest a customer was also there. I was like I got a frustrated cuz I was like I know what you mean. I was like you mean me She walked by I don't know if she's going to be back or not. Do you mean customer or do you mean employee and he's like well it doesn't matter. So then I was already frustrated from him. Mhm. So I was keeping everything monotone and I was like I understand your frustration I appreciate it but I need to discipline my child and that way he knows how to act in society and not the way that he has been doing. Okay. Where was he at when you smacked him? We were at the milk area where the employee was standing at. Okay. Because that's when he started talking back to me and then just I literally write in the mouth. >> Was it close or kind of like with your >> far away. The back of your palm or the front? >> just just the tip of my fingers. Okay, so your fingers, okay. You know I've heard parents do that to their kids but it's only if they're either cussing or just acting a fool, right? Was he saying any like cuss words or anything like that? Uh he was about ready to cuz he's got a cousin that does that. She says what the what the and stuff like that. Okay. And so I'm trying to get break him out of that habit. He only hung out with her once yesterday and that was for like 3 hours and so that he re-picked it back up. All the other times that I've disciplined him before it's like okay we're taking away your tablet, taking away your TV. I know the gentle parenting stuff. Okay. And this one was it was starting to progress where he's starting to disrespect me as one of the parents. And it's like, okay, no, we need to have a stop. Okay. After that happened, and then you guys just went to go check out. After that happened, we went to the baking area. He was still going on about the cart, and that's whenever he was just kind of roaring. And another way that we've got we've gotten him to stop was whenever he roars and you kind of hold his fist straight down to like, are you pooping? Do you need to poop? Let's go then, and then he gets mad about that. So Where does Where does he go to school? Over at Bluffview Elementary. All right. Just uh stay with my partner here, and then they have some video footage for me, so I'm going to go look at that as well. So here's him, here's her. 360? And then they they walk over here and you can see her swinging him. Yeah, she did say it happened in the milk aisle, so that's I do it again? Yeah, it's Very very good footage. She she stopped swinging him so he's done. Okay. And I sent it to you a few times to get it. The person that called it in, did we talk to them yet and see like what Um kind of BGA BGA kind of saw it. Wait, what kind of hit was this? Like was it like a smack or was it like a >> it was closed fist. Closed fist. And Multiple people said that. When I spoke to her, she said she just did that. But from what I see now, it looks like a kind of looks like she kind of went all the way across. She kind of like she swings at him. >> So yeah, I'll keep doing it until maybe What did she say happened? She said the kid was pushing the cart, and then he was like badmouthing her. He's not even by the cart though. Yeah, I know. When I When you played it from the beginning, he wasn't pushing the cart, but I guess she was trying he was trying to ask her like, let me push the cart, and she said no. I'm going to go talk with the RP. I might take this one instead of BGA. So can you tell me what happened? So I kind of heard her yelling at him over by the milk area, and she was just like, get in my face, I dare you, just get in my face. And I don't know what they were arguing about, but all I kept hearing him say was, I just want the cart, I just want the cart, or go to the car, somewhere like that. And then she passed by me and stood right by where the eggs originally are and then I heard like I was pretending like I was scanning cuz I felt like I needed to like pay attention to what was happening. Mhm. And then next thing you know, I just heard this big like whack. I don't know if he like it was a punch, I don't know if it was a slap. I just know she hit him. Okay. >> I stood there and I looked at her and she's like, "Do you have a problem? What's your issue?" And I said, "No, ma'am. I'm just making sure he's okay." And she's like, "Well, clearly he is." And I said, "Yes, ma'am, he sure is." But I was trying to like see where she where she went through the store. >> Mhm. So it didn't make it noticeable that I was following her. Okay. Sorry, I'm like like nervous. So did you you heard it, but did you see? I didn't actually see the hit, but I just heard the the the voice and How far do you think you were approximately when you heard it? >> so when she hit him, it was probably like from here to there. Okay. Can you tell me what happened? Okay, so I was um so like the butter would be right here and I was walking towards the milk. >> Okay. I heard somebody yelling and so I happened to look up just as she full-on hit him right in the eye. You're her, right? >> Mhm. Where was he standing at? Like right here. So it would have just been like that. Okay. And she was kind of like she was like this, but kind of sideways and he was facing her. And there was a Walmart employee like right behind them and she was doing something. She looked at her and she was like, "What's your problem?" or something started yelling at her. And I've never ever I mean, I have four children and I've never seen a kid get hit like that. So I like So I called 911. I tried to follow her around the store. I ended up finding her up by the meat. The little boy was yelling at her and he was like, "You do not get to hit me in the face like you're a bad mom." And I was just trying to get somebody in here. Like I said, I've never ever ever seen a kid get hit like that and it almost made me cry. How did the kid react? >> Um he started crying and screaming and she was just like yelling at him saying something about he was talking back cuz he was like, "Why did you hit me?" or something and she said, "Cuz you're talking back." and just kept yelling at But like I said, I was like, "Oh my gosh, where's my phone?" Like started fumbling around. Has she ever tried to console the kid? No. Absolutely not. Like and he was keeping a distance from her. You could tell he was scared of her. Okay, and it was just those two. Them two. Okay, cool. I think I got everything I needed. Okay. Awesome. I appreciate you, ma'am. Thank you. >> Thank you. Did you see her like physically like hit the kid? >> hear it. You heard it? >> You could hear it. >> That's pretty far distance, right? Yeah, it was loud. Honestly, I went home after here and I was like just sick to my stomach. I was like I just wanted to go home cuz I was like this this is very Yeah, after that the kid kind of just was like, "I don't want to be here. I don't want to I'm just going to walk behind you. I don't want to be seen with you. I just don't want to be around you." Which is very understandable, but his face was red. He was just sniffling and crying. Was he crying or anything? Yes. I took a picture and that's his little face. Gangster. I was like Okay. You talked to the kid? Yeah. How old are you, buddy? 10. Okay. Can you come talk to me for a minute? Is that okay? That's fine. Okay. Are you okay, bud? Over there. Do you need any medical attention? Do you want to be checked out by a doctor or anything? Yeah. You want to? Yeah. Does your face hurt? No. Where'd you get hit at, buddy? On my left cheek. On your cheek? Yeah. Was it a your left or right cheek? Yeah. Your left side. >> one. Can you tell me what happened? I I know the other officer already got your you got got your statement. I was arguing in the car You got hit in the car first? >> Yeah. I got hit in the car and my mom hit me in the car and then got off and walked with the family. She didn't hit me. She hit the car. Does your mom ever like discipline you? Does she give you like spankings for being out of like giving bad behavior or anything? Yeah, only at the home. She what? Hit only at the home. At only home? Yeah. So, what happened in here? Everyone's saying they heard something loud and they saw you crying. Can you tell me something? Can you tell me more about that one? It me and my homie the car and when he saw me he had the car and though the back trunk that's the face he What Is there a reason why she hit you? I don't know. Were you scared? You weren't scared? Why did people say they saw you crying? I don't know. You don't know? Are you safe at home? Yeah. Do you live with your mom or other siblings? I live with my mom and my dad. Your mom and your dad? Yeah. Are you the only child? Yeah. I have no step brother. Do you feel safe with your step dad? Yeah. Yeah? I'm safe at home. You're safe at home? Yeah. How did she hit you? I don't know. You don't know? Okay. I'm just going to take a picture of your teeth, okay? And are you hurt anywhere else? No. You're not bleeding in your mouth or anything? No. All right. So, I'll let you go with your step dad, okay? Does kiddo usually stay with you sometimes? Uh we all stay in the house in the village and sometimes they stay up here in Farmingdale. You kind of know what's what's happening, yeah? Yeah. Uh she's kind of really told me a little bit about it on the way home. Does he have any kind of like special He I believe he has a speech impediment and he's um I think it's his ears for a while and I think he's supposed to he got a complaint for getting um autism and he's getting tested for autism. And he had seizures. He has mild seizures every now and then. But he's taking medication for that. Are you able to watch him? Yes. Okay. So, I'm just going to be honest with you. All right. So, mom's going to go to jail for what happened today. Okay. How does she discipline her kid at home? She usually is like no TV, no games. Has she ever laid hands on him before? No. How is kid at home? Like how is his behavior? It's fairly normal and every once in a while he does get excited and he gets um becomes a little bit of a lot to handle but I know that is usually normal. So, the thing is so C W F D is going to want to contact you Okay. contact mom after this. They're going to want to do follow up with the kid. Um if he goes to Blackwood, you guys just travel back and forth. So, the kid's going to go with you. If you can just have them go with you just to put the put the bags in in the truck. You just say like, "Hey, mom, we'll be gone for a little bit." Unfortunately, that's just going to have to happen sometimes. Okay. So, be honest with me. I've seen the camera footage, witnesses in the area. It wasn't just a little tap on the mouth. Well, to me it was cuz I literally just went like that. I wasn't watching cuz to me I just felt the end of the tips of my fingers. That's literally all I felt. So, that's why I said tips of my fingers. I'm going to be honest with you, all right? So, you're going to go to jail tonight for what happened. Okay. That's why we're having dad take the kid away cuz I don't like doing that in front of kids, you know? It's a hard situation. Does he have like a special Is He's autistic. He's autistic with ADHD and epilepsy. We've been managing it for a while now and I understand that his autism is what's causing this, too. He does take medication. So, that's what's going to happen tonight. Uh There's just There's just a lot of witnesses. I understand that, but this is my kid. I mean, small lapse of judgment. It just I like I So, I do understand if if you kind of like just went over and kind of tapped him on the mouth and nobody heard it, but if there's a lot of people that heard you smack him. I don't know if it was because of like literally I Yeah, and I smacked cuz I don't know if that sound came from his mouth like if it was open or anything, but literally I just He's good? Okay. So, just to do that. Just transfer him. It's not Friday, so you'll see a judge. We'll let dad know about it, okay? Okay. But, the reason why I need my phone is so that I can call my job and let them know what's going on. Okay. And I also need to call CGO cuz I work at that casino across the way and in order to make sure I still sustain a job for my son that I need to call them and let them know what's going on. >> I'll I'll do that. I'm not an officer that's just like, "No." Straight up. You You'll get calls at the jail as well. And I'll go grab that phone for you. I'm going to close this. Do you want the heater on? I'm not sure. Okay. The woman was arrested and charged with C A