Baton Rouge Mother Jailed For Punishing Sons Who Burglarized Neighbor’s Home
A Baton Rouge mother was jailed for whipping three of her six children with a power cord. Although authorities contend it is a clear case of physical abuse, Schaquana Evita Spears firmly believes her 10, 12, and 13-year-old sons deserved the punishment. According to reports, the boys were caught burglarizing a neighbor’s home.
On Monday, June 20, Schaquana received a phone call from a neighbor who observed several boys, including three of her sons, breaking into another neighbor’s home. Following the break-in, the children returned home with their neighbor’s personal possessions, including a hoverboard, several electronic devices, and at least one pair of socks.
Following the break-in, the children returned home with their neighbor’s personal possessions, including a hoverboard, several electronic devices, and at least one pair of socks.
In an attempt to teach her sons a lesson, Schaquana Evita Spears whipped the three boys with a power cord. Authorities later confirmed the children suffered visible injuries as a direct result of the punishment.
As reported by NOLA.com, Spears subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of cruelty to children. Although the Baton Rouge mother was jailed, she was eventually released on $2,500 bond. According to reports, the bond was posted by an anonymous donor who saw the story on a local news station.
Within three days, Schaquana Evita Spears’ arrest gained nationwide attention because the mother insists she was trying to do the right thing. Interestingly, many people seem to agree.
In response to the Baton Rouge mother being jailed, supporters have started at least one Facebook group, with 275 supporters, and two separate GoFundMe accounts, which have raised nearly $2,500.
Schaquana Spears jailed for beating her sons is bailed out by a stranger | Daily Mail Online: https://t.co/oGbUcVtD5c
— pops (@pops131) June 23, 2016
In an interview with the Advocate, Lisa Nicholson, whose home was burglarized by the boys, said she supports Schaquana Evita Spears’ decision to punish her sons. Although she was not home when the burglary occurred, she said she may have harmed the boys herself if she heard them breaking into her home.
“If it was me… I’m gonna beat you before I let the cops kill you. I’m gonna do what I have to do. I’m not gonna let [my children] steal and kill and do all of that. I’m not gonna let them fall victim to the streets.”
East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar C. Moore III admitted, “Parents have the right and obligation to discipline and teach their children.”
However, he said there is a fine line between discipline and abuse.
“The degree of physical discipline will be reviewed. The law does not allow excessive pain or cruelty but does allow physical parental discipline. I only have the short synopsis which does indicate that the discipline resulted in marks on the child’s body and possibly an open wound.”
Although she was released pending trial, the Baton Rouge mother’s children were removed from her home when she was jailed. It is unclear at this time if or when she will get her children back. However, authorities confirmed she does not have a history of violent crime. With the exception of a theft charge in 2008, which was eventually dismissed, Schaquana Evita Spears’ record is clean.
#SchaquanaSpears is a hero not a criminal pic.twitter.com/xUJKWsU2Qp
— Dolph Cabbage (@RandyChicopee) June 23, 2016
According to reports, the single mother of six is a cook and owns her own catering business. Family, friends, and neighbors describe her as a hard-working woman who is simply trying to keep her children off the streets.
Despite the fact that she was already arrested, charged, and jailed, the Baton Rouge mother’s case is currently under review. District Attorney Hillar Moore confirmed he will “review all of the reports; meet with the DCFS office and review any history of this mother and her children to get a better picture of the entire family dynamics before making a decision.”
[Image via The Advocate]