A Deranged Woman Punched My Two Year Old Toddler In The Face At Mc Donald’s

 

A Deranged Woman Punched My Two Year Old Toddler In The Face At Mc Donald’s

2-19-2013

My little dumplings are 35 months, 2 weeks, and 3 days old.

 

 

If you ask me what kind of world that we live in, my answer would have to be after yesterday, I have no freakin’ idea! My brain is still trying to wrap itself around what happened. Also, if something like this can happen in a place like this, than anything can happen anywhere. It is scary! (Read on.)

 

I took the kids to Mc Donald’s yesterday for a playdate. Unfortunately, my friend ended up having to work for longer than expected and never made it. When we walked into the place there were no seats inside of the play area so we had to sit outside for awhile and wait.

 

I noticed a somewhat creepy looking woman in a booth that didn’t really move much. I don’t try to stare at others, which is why I didn’t get the best look at her when what transpired transpired. I could just tell she looked different. Unkempt and odd-faced. I actually thought it was a man at first. I found out later that was because she had some pronounced facial hair.

 

We never made any eye contact because like I said, I don’t stare at people. I don’t want to make them feel self conscious just as I do not wish to feel self conscious myself.  But when she was in my view I did notice she just remained seated in the same place for a number of hours as I walked in and out to use the bathroom, fetch some ketchup, etc. Who knows for how long she was seated before we actually got there. I know my big girl said something to me about her, and I told her do not stare nor talk about anybody and that was that. It wasn’t in front of this woman though.

 

We sat very nearby her at the only available table, at first. My back was facing her view..(not purposely.) Finally a seat opened up inside which then we went in to play. She remained out in the main area. We thought NOTHING of her. Without my friend there I had no intention on staying for too long.

 

We ran into an acquaintance from there who had a daughter that mine played with numerous times before. I even gave her my phone number after chatting with her for some time. Annie had to use the potty badly, and so after asking the mother if she’d keep an eye on my other kids that were up inside of the tubes at the time while I took Annie to the potty real quick, of course she obliged. We ran to the bathroom which is nearby, and on our way out the unthinkable happened. Not something you’d expect to happen in a million, billion years.

 

This woman that had been sitting in that booth for so long had come around on the left side of us on our way back to the playroom, and with a fist clenched she maliciously punched my little Annie right in the face.. leaving her crying, of course. As a mother never expecting something so sinister to happen anywhere much less in a kid’s place with 100 people in the building, it took me a moment to process what actually happened and react.

 

Annie was holding my hand and so I felt the jolt that came when she was struck from this ‘person.’ It was quite a jolt indeed. There was a serious intention for harm here, but who on earth would wish to harm an innocent, little toddler? Who could be so sick in the head? Apparently this person. 

 

Of course, I looked to Annie first to make sure she was alright and noticed her crying with a red cheek. Then I saw this woman casually walking (though quickly) out of the nearby exit and towards the parking lot. I followed her to the door and opened it up, screaming my head off. ”Are you crazy? You hit my child. Are you nuts hitting a toddler like that? Get back here!” And whatever else I screamed that I can’t quite remember.

 

 If the video they got of that part of things has any sound to it then the cops could hear it because yes..we did get police involved despite Annie seeming alright. If this looney toon was capable of such an act, what else was she capable of? The next little child may not be as fortunate.

 

Annie’s cheek and part of her nose was red. Her bangs were hanging in her face from play so I didn’t notice a small bruise on her forehead until today. Anyhow, I went to the counter expecting some actual help and concern, but felt like I didn’t get much of it as I nervously explained what happened.

 

This young guy, whom I had never seen behind the counter before though my older daughter said she has, when I asked about the woman who was sitting in the booth there for hours, he confirmed that he knew of her and that she was a regular who would come in there and sit for long periods of time. She ‘wasn’t right’ he added. The manager on the other hand came over with a dumb look in her eyes denying that she had ever seen her before, and handed me a bag of ice for Annie.

 

Boo

 

A couple of years ago my daughter broke her wrist on the play equipment there, and I was met with very similar sensitivity and a bag of ice thrown my way. But this should have been met with some definite seriousness, no? Like, ”Oh my God I can’t believe that, let’s call the cops. I’m so sorry. Is she alright?” NOTHING about little Annie at all as she cried. If ever I was turned off by humanity it was yesterday. The only one who was 1/2 way nice was the young guy. Nobody else wanted to get involved in the least. It looked as if the manager lady was annoyed that the late teen was saying too much or something.

 

He was able to help aid in a description when the cops did arrive because I honestly couldn’t give THAT good of one. I had been facing away from her when we sat near, and when she walked by us and out of the door.. her back was facing me. She never turned around once despite my yelling. This was no accident, this was no child, this was a grown adult woman at least in her 50′s, maybe more..striking a very little girl.

 

(My daughter said that same woman tried to trip Annie by putting her foot out when they walked by when I asked Mikayla to get a refill and Annie followed. I can’t tel you the truth in that. She thought it was possibly accidental at the time. I can’t confirm this though. If that is true, this woman had it out for Annie in particular. WHY remains to be seen. Obviously, she did nothing to her.)

 

I of course called my husband who got the address of the Mc Donald’s we were at since there were two other ones in the area, and he called 911 as I tended to Annie. The cops got there before he did. Unfortunately, the only eye witness who had come up to me saying how messed up the situation was and asked me if Annie was OK, was no longer in view.

 

 I’m sure that there were others who saw something but didn’t want to get involved because later on a few confronted me about it asking if Annie was alright. It’s not like we announced it to the whole place. I just wish more people would stick around and help out like I would have done because the tape, very unfortunately, has her and myself right after the fact. This happened about a foot away from the camera’s view we found out. This woman either knew this, or it was just a sucky coincidence.

 

Had my friend been there it would have been on, but I couldn’t follow her outside with Annie standing there, as she would follow me. Also, my other kids were at the playroom door at this point and also would have followed. It happens to be a very dangerous exit. Me and my friend talk about it all of the time. There is a drive through right outside of the door where you need to walk past to get to your car. Cars whiz around a bend no less. Just a tragedy waiting to happen we always say.

 

Most moms say they would kill the biatch. In all honesty, as a mother yet someone who has never fought a physical battle in her life, I would have went after her and who knows what would have transpired. Could she be mental and possibly kill me? Who knows. But I would have went. The cop later told me, ”I have two kids and if that happened to one of mine in front of me, forget about it. Off of the record if you would have laid her out, I’d give you a high 5. I’m just not allowed to say that.” I mean it’s a natural instinct to want to protect your children. If her and I crossed paths again there just is no telling what I would do to her, but I certainly would not be the sweetie pie that I usually am. That is for damn sure.

 

This woman obviously needs to be locked up. I mean she could have broken Annie’s nose, fractured her cheek, hit her in the head bad enough to cause a concussion and done some horrific damage. I shutter to think, but I can’t help but to. I mean she is only 2! In hindsight I’m surprised they didn’t call an ambulance just to check on her.

 

Although she did cry for a couple of minutes and kept talking about the bad lady, she confirmed that she was alright time and again, and the redness faded. She is my tough twin though. I say I’m fine after being hit by a truck and lying in the back of an ambulance, so you never do know. But if she was screaming for a longer period of time or things looked worse, as I watched her closely, she would have gone in to see a doctor STAT. Hub especially was just surprised they didn’t want her to anyway, much like in a car accident. It could have ended up so much worse but then again..this person is still out there.

 

The cops came and talked to me, and then I went along in one of their squad cars looking for this person. There is a big apartment complex nearby where some people who get housing from the state live. Many with rap sheets, mental or drug ‘issues’, and flat out vagrants. There was a high suspicion that this person likely lived there somewhere, and we saw multiple cop cars there on the look out. The cops obviously took this extremely seriously. I thank God for that when I think of the next little girl or boy she goes after. Annie was not an isolated incident.

 

All in all Mc Donald’s swarmed with about 15 cop cars. If she did go away on foot which did appear to be the case, she was within walking distance of this complex. The cop seemed to possibly have a specific person in mind once he got the description which included facial hair and gnarled teeth, but he couldn’t add more to that except that they were going to continue looking and told the manager at Mc Donald’s should she step foot back in there again, which he believes she will, but I don’t know..to contact them immediately so they can pick her up.

 

They asked me if I wanted her arrested and what could I say but yes? She hit a baby. What was next? If she could do that she could go even further. (Not that that isn’t horrible enough.) If I could help get her taken off the streets for everyone’s protection that of course would be best. However, one cop admitted to me that since no eye witnesses came forward to give a statement, and the damn stupid camera was just out of view of the incident itself, though they know what went down, in a court of law it’s a hard case to prove. That sucks!! It reminded me of why I never pressed charges against my abusive ex.

 

Of course, there was fear involved with him. But also the thought of knowing he may not even go to jail over it or only for a short while and then come after me. The justice system can be all screwy. I just couldn’t do it. I got raped as a teen and never reported it. Why? Because in the justice system the victim can be made out to be the bad guy, and I couldn’t handle that. I let it go. But this..this was my child! All bets are off when it comes to our own flesh and blood.

 

I signed a statement written out by police, and all I can hope for is that she has a warrant or some priors that will cause her to get locked up for a long time. Of course, I will keep you posted if there are any updates on the situation. Poor Annie keeps talking about the lady who hit her in the face. She points to her cheek and says it hurts and to the little bruise on her head. It’s so sad. This person doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as the rest of us do.

 

Anyway, we got home late. I was reeling all night long over this. Waking up now all I can say is ”Why? Why did this stranger do this?” I guess some questions never find any answers, but there are no answers that would make her actions any less deplorable. Now I understand why my husband worries so when we are out and about alone. I mean I go to parks with little to no people around and this would be much more likely to happen in a more secluded place like that. Now I’ll be thinking about this incident everywhere we go. If it could happen there it could happen ANYWHERE!

 

I feel a little bit empowered that I finally took a stand against abuse after suffering from years of my own and having regrets about not doing more to protect myself way back then. It kind of brought the past back into my mind. I replayed many a memory last night. None of which were good. But for my daughter..my child…I took a stand. I am happy I did. No real mother would do anything less.

 

Yesterday I thought I was shock proof. Today I see I was wrong.

 

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Moral of the story:  Always keep your eyes wide open. Also, don’t ever be afraid to take action if you or someone you love is being abused in ANY way..be it physical or emotional abuse. It makes no matter! Every person is deserving of kindness, compassion, and love. Love should NEVER hurt!

 

Also, if you ever see someone getting hurt like Annie was, please step up. Don’t watch and then turn a blind eye. Be there for the person in any way that you can be. I remember my ex abusing me in public places, and I can’t tell you one time that somebody stepped in enough to call the cops. They just watched. One threatened to call the cops but he did not. Nobody ever tried to save me. It’s really sad. So PLEASE..If you see anybody hurting anybody you MUST get involved. It is your duty as a human being. People like me, and people like Annie depend on people like you!

 

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Have a great Tuesday folks!

(Sorry this is so painfully long. I needed to get this out.)