Woman beats up her son in Wal-Mart?

Question

I'm not sure if it made national news, but a woman in Mesa (suburb of Phoenix) beat up her 10 year old son in a Wal-Mart on August 12. Shoppers had to call 911 to report it. http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/0817walmart0817.html

My question is, why didn't Wal-Mart's loss prevention step in and stop it? If it was two teenages having a fight, you better beleive they would have stopped it, and called 911. But Wal-Mart did NOTHING.

This was more than just a mother disciplining her child. According to witnesses in the store, it was violence. Wal-Mart released a statement saying they don't get involved in domestic disputes. But when the kid is bleeding, it's more than that.

Anyone think that Wal-Mart management should be penalized for refusing to get involved?

A few of you are missing the point. If this had been two adults (or even teens) beating the crap out of each other in the middle of Wal-Mart, do you think someone from Loss Prevention would have stepped in? Or at the very least called 911.

Answer 1

Absolutely!

Answer 2

Hey, this is Wal-Mart we're talking about. Their security guards/loss prevention staff typically don't lift a finger unless somebody's stealing from them (yet they've been known to injure or even kill suspected shoplifters in their zeal to maintain their "always low" prices). And the staff there isnt even allowed to dial 911 without first seeking the approval of a manager, and half the time nobody even knows where he is. Unfortunately, no individual or company can be sued or prosecuted simply for not bothering to step in to help somebody or report a crime, but I hope they get prosecuted to the fullest extent possible if they conceal anything or fail to cooperate with the investigation in any way.

Answer 3

Wal Mart has no obligation to interfere with a parent and a child, whether or not you consider it abuse, is not for you to decide, but a court. Intervention by a wal mart employee, can and probably would have resulted in a lawsuit by the parent, They were correct in not interfering. What is violence to one witness, is discipline to another. witnesses are fine, but it is the courts function to decide if anything did in fact happen that is against the law. Witnesses have a way of bringing emotion and speculation into a case, rather than simple facts.

Answer 4

I agree! I don't give a damn if it's the President's oval office, abuse is abuse! This is why our kids are growing up w/ such anger & resentment b/c of parents like her. How dare she beat up on a defenseless child b/c she wanted to freakin' shop. I have, on many occasion, seen women get aggravated when their kids get ancy @ any store... hellooo, they're kids do YOU remember wanting to be bored shopping w/ your mom all day?! I have stepped in, made my comments & criticized the parent b/c it's just human to defend those who can't defend themselves.. it's called compassion, people! No one gives a damn about anybody these days & it's sad b/c so many children out there are being abused & many have just turned away from giving them a hand. I am a mother & although kids can truly test your patience, I'd rather cut my hands off before bringing my son to bloody tears. It's a disgrace to have to force yourself on a child just so you can continue shopping for clothes that don't even look good on ya! But you know what, payback's a BIG B&^%!

Answer 5

People or security personnel of Walmart has the duty to prevent the violence committed in their presence because it is defense of a stranger from physical abuse.

Answer 6

Why does Wal-mart care? It's still making money. Big Cooperate cares NOTHING about people except when they don't spend money.

Answer 7

I don't think it has to do with the fact that they didn't want to do anything, but they are not allowed to do anything. If they got involved, and some physical altercation occurred, they mother could sue. Corporate could care less about what goes on in the personal lives of their customers.

Also, Loss Prevention is just that: Lost Prevention. It's not their job to intervene in those kind of situations.

Answer 8

I agree. Those crazy Walmart theft control bastards have followed me around for HOURS before, when I was just waiting to get my oil changed. The other shoppers are also to blame, but not as much, since the management and security of Walmart would be the authority figures here. However, that IS one scary looking beeeatch. I'd be afraid to cross her.

Answer 9

Morally yes someone should have intervened however Walmart works by rules one being to protect the store against lawsuits. The employees could have stopped it but would have risked their jobs in the process. Sucks but true.

Answer 10

What about all the people who were standing around with cell phones recording it? Didn't they have a responsibility too to call 911? Gees what is happening in today's world?