A mother of twins who is now twenty, got 10 years for child abuse. There is another twist to this story she will as well get 10 years of probation and during her prison sentence and probation she can not contact her children including no birthday card, no letter, nothing. The best part of it all she can't even contact them till they are adults! I say way to go for Judge Fred Hardt! Tosha did sign her parental rights away which is about the only good thing I see this mother has done.
Tosha M. Bartrum,on December 18, 2007 threw a bottle of formula and hit her daughter in the head, then grab the car seat and shook it vigorously. If that wasn't enough she then picked her up and threw her on the bed all because she wouldn't stop crying. Even sadder yet she admitted to doing this to the her son the twin brother. He had recently had a black eye and her claim was she had been drinking and she didn't know how he got it. Okay so lets do the calculations here she is now 20 and this happened back in 2007 so that would of made her 18 at the time and drinking.
Her daughter had been taken to Miami Children's Hospital with two hematomas, an acute hematoma, bruising and a retinal injury. She as well had a hand print on her face bruises. Witnesses said after the baby screamed Tosha then cocked her daughter in the head causing her body to get stiff and "appeared to be dying."
Now you would think this would be enough right? No it even gets better. Her mother, Kimberly Burnett, made a plan with Tosha to adopt the children and they would run off to Indiana so she could see the kids. Well it seems like we have a wonderful grandmother don't it?
The children are now in foster homes and said to be doing wonderfully. The foster mother did say that her daughter had not had any seizures but that it was a possibility with the injuries she had. The twins will be turning 2 years old on this Thursday. To me this is the best birthday present these children could ever get. They are now safe away from the hands of their abuser forever! Finally a case for what Baby James Law is fighting for.
How do you feel about this with the age of the mother? I personally think if you are old enough to abuse a child you are old enough to pay the price.
Do you think drugs or alcohol should be a reason for abuse? Again I don't think there is any reason for abuse.
What are your feelings on this grandmother, Tosha's mother and their plan? I think the grandmother needs examined as well. She sure isn't thinking about her grand children's safety.
Please sign Baby James Law and fight to keep children out of their abuser's arms forever!
Complete story can be found here.
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Comments: 65
This judge did the right thing!
There are no excuses for this...ever.
Hopefully, those children are young enough that they will not retain memories of their abuse. Such a sad story.
Sad things is many of these kids face so much from their abuse even when it happened when they was young. Just like on James it took forever to get him so he would even get near water and take a bath. Still we have to do it in a certain way. We can't have the water running before we put him in for one. We got to watch water getting in his face.
It is possible that drugs and/or alcohol could be factors. I say tie her tubes so that this can't happen again as another part of her punishment and every Mothers' Day, she has to go to a cemetery and see the graves of the children that were killed by their parents.
There you go Kerrell better yet how about going to the hospital of a child on life support or watch a video of a child on life support from their parent?
I LIKE IT!
I think the judge was right to do hat he did. I think he is a very smart person. I am happyto hear those twins will never see the mother or grandmother again. What gets me if people seen this happen, why didn't they step in to stop it earlier?
I really don't know this happens so much. Then again maybe someone did and nothing was done. That happens so much as well.
oh and I think the grandmother needs her head examined.
I totally agree with you on that one.
I'm glad this child is away from such abuse. It should never happen. Never.
That is a great and smart judge!
there is never, ever, a reason to abuse a child...... or anyone else for that matter.....
Yay Judge. That is so awesome. I'm so happy that the twins will be safe now.
Ohhhh how awful. The grand mother doesn't sound like she's walking around with all her marbles in place either. Poor babies.
Drugs and alcohol may be a reason for abuse, but they do not excuse the behavior, which absolutely must be stopped as soon as it is discovered. The cause of abusive behavior on the part of a caregiver should never give authorities reason to subject the victim to further exposure to the abuser. In fact, when a cause is identified, that cause should be taken into account when determining whether or not the abuser will continue to be dangerous. A substance abuser who hurts others while under the influince should be required to prove he or she has continually abstained from use of the substance in question and similar substances, and continues to do so, before being permitted any contact with loved ones he or she has abused. To do otherwise would be to condone the abuse.
I think the grandmother should be brought up on charges. Not only was she condoning the abuse, but she was conspiring to create conditions which would have allowed it to continue. Wouldn't adopting the kids and fleeing with the family to another state be obstruction of justice?
You know hanna obstruction of justice I didn't even think about till you said that. You would think it would be.
Personally I couldn't even be so drunk that I could abuse a child even then. I think she was just using an excuse. The reason I think that is because nothing was said on her daughter about being drunk only on the son. So what was her excuse for doing it to her daughter who left worse injuries? I think she is just a nut case.
Some people become totally different people when they are drunk or high, doing things they would never consider while sober. I've seen that kind of change in members of my own family. Alcohol is an odd thing... though moderate intake can have medicinal benefits for some, that substance can turn others into absolute monsters. It just depends on how the user's body and brain chemistry reacts to it. It's important to pay attention to the potential for substances to alter behavior in this way, so that in cases where that happens, the individual can deal with that problem. Otherwise, people with substance abuse issues really do end up "wasted."
As I said, substance abuse is not an excuse for unacceptable behavior, but when identified as a cause, it is a reason to get the victim out of the situation of exposure to the abuser, and for the abuser to cease use of the substance.
I use to be one of those alcholics. I can't imagine abusing my child. As you said its no excuse.
I'm so glad that the mother will never be able to hurt these poor kids ever again. Personally, I think she should be made to have her tubes tied. She should lose her right to ever again have kids.
On a side note, Bravo! to Miami Children's Hospital. They are wonderful people who saved my nephew's life. :) I love them! :)
I so agree on having her tubes tied. If Baby James Law passes she or anyone that abuses a child won't ever be able to have custody of a child again.
That is wonderful about your nephew too!
That is awful.
In all honesty, I think they should COMPLETELY TERMINATE rights.... FOREVER.... so when they turn 18 she can't just show up in their lives....
"hi my name is Tosha and I'm your mom, but I beat you when you were a kid so they took you away."
I mean think about how they will be feeling at that point.... indecision (am I supposed to have a relationship with my mom or what?) that might bring on feelings of guilt that they don't deserve to even have at all.
I don't care what she was "on" .... once you have a child, it is your responsibility to take care of that child, and protect it even if it means you die doing it. If you don't take that responsibility seriously, you should not have access to the children anymore, at ALL... EVER.
I agree on completely terminating rights. However, I really hope someone explains to these children what happened to them and help them get help. The kids could also look at it that they was just given up if no one tells them. Part of the healing process of abuse is facing your abuser no matter how old you was when it happened. It is hard very hard and something I had to even do and it has still been hard for me to face my mother. I just want to hear her say she is guilty. These kids will need to hear that as well and from no one but her.
There is absolutely zero excuse for any type of abuse of anyone, ever (baby, child, teen, adult or elderly).
To me that Grandmother should held accountable also, she obviously supports her daughter. It's disgusting.
Drugs and alcohol are usually the reason for the abuse but her age is a big factor also. What the hell are people thinking...... Give the kids up for adoption if you aren't capable of caring for them.
My oldest was born when I was 20 and that is too young in my opinion. My kids have turned out great but it was rough going sometimes.
I think drugs and alcohol is an excuse. Just like when a person cheats and they use the excuse they was drunk.
I had my oldest at 18 and I know it was to young. But I was his mother even with his health problems. She thinks she had it so rough she should of tried raising a child with health problems.
I am happy she got the sentence. Where is the children's father in all these? Because if you cannot father a child, you have to keep your genital in check and not fling it around.
I really don't know he was never mentioned and I agree with you there.
The mother knew she was doing wrong and causing harm to her children. As a grandma, I can see where the grandmother would want to have the children or at least visit them, but to plan to take them back to the abusive mother shows she can't be trusted to act in the children's best interest. The children will be happier and safer in a foster home until they can be adopted.
I can understand the grandmother wanting to see them too. The thing is I really think she would of been able to if she would of used her head instead of protecting her daughter. She should of been protecting her grandchildren who couldn't protect themselves.
I believe when a child is abused, that child should be taken away right away. As far as teminating parental rights goes...I believe the parents should be given a plan...a very CLEAR plan to prove that they are taking the necessary steps to get their child back and keep their child. If the parent messes up at all in keeping to this plan, I say no more chances.
As the way it usually goes now they are given a chance, just not in this case. Those situations aren't working. Parenting classes are a joke, I honestly believe once they abuse they will always abuse.
And really how do we know that they are okay enough to care for a child again in less we experiement and give the child back.
I don't know if parenting classes have changed over the years but when I was fighting for custody of my oldest daughters both my ex and I were required to attend. He never did. I had already been married to my current husband for seven years and these classes focused on dealing with the emotions of the divorce. They were not geared at all to becoming a better parent for your children's sake.
Really the excuse for this is thin. Very insane world is not it?
Alien blood
It sounds like she was under the influence of a lot of bad things & made some bad choices. I don't know if I believe that they should refuse to let her have contact with her children ever again.
the right thing was done
Child abusers. I spit on them all!
Gosh Jacob you are nicer then me lol
that whole situation is just very sad
Its awful and u can see by the grandmother that it is generational.
The problem I have with this case is that the girl will get out of prision and more than likely have more children. Where is the rehabilitation? There is none and there should be. I am glad that she did the right thing by signing away her rights. Now the children will be able to be adopted by people who want them.
I am happy to hear the Judge made this decision.
I have not read any of the responses Renee, but my feeling is that you play than you pay, but obviously this girl could not handle motherhood. I am glad the judge took them away from her and they have a chance at real happiness and a productive life before they were too scarred from her irrational actions!! some people do not see the blessings in their children.. it is funny that I read this because I told both of my kids, 18 and 15 tonight just how special they are and that I am so proud of them, even with their issues... they are great kids, and I told them that me and their dad are not always the best role models but we do our best and we love them and are very proud of them and are grateful that they are who they are..
I honestly don't think she could handle motherhood at age 40. I am so glad you let your children know how much you care about them. You are right we aren't always the best role models. No one is perfect in this world.
It's no excuse, but this sounds like the case of a young and overwelmed mother, who already had issues to begin with. I think if there were more resources for parents (male or female) it would cut down on at least some of this.
Ellen the resources are there is a person really wants to look for them. Parenting isn't a easy job for anyone. Teen parenting has even more assistance then adults do. There are even schools you can take your child to school with you to finish the schooling. It is up to that person on what they do.
Renee, I agree. There are a lot of resources. The reality is though, folks who "don't care" aren't going to make an effort to find/use them.
Exactly Tammy, the only ones that don't get the resources are these abused children, till its to late.
Good for the judge
Good for the judge
Stopping by from Points Nation
Yaay for the judge!
Bravo for the judge!
You know, mothers should have to have a license to have a child, just like a high school diploma. Go to classes, psych assessments, be of voting age,
From the grandma's plan, we might have a hint at how the mother came to be so bad.
she got what she deserve's!
I think she and the grandmother both ought to be locked up for life. And if not for life, the mama ought to have her tubes tied so she can't have more kids to abuse. I hate women who do that to their children.
alright to this judgement
I completely agree with you, there isn't any good reason possible nor any valid excuse for such. Age is no factor either, very young children know full well to hurt another is wrong and unnacceptable. A monster that hurts there own child, even as young as she, is just getting started and I've no doubt would harm others as a matter of habit
Points Nation
Sounds like the mother and grandmother should both get what they deserve! I just can't understand how someone can do such things!
I just took in a 17 year old and her baby, he will be 1 next month, she is great with him, when she gets frustrated she gives him to me and I deal with it for a bit, the need for support from others is a great thing!
her mother mentally abused her, telling her she will not go far in life, not helping her with the baby, locking her out of the house with the baby in 30 degree weather, locking her out of the bathroom, not feeding her or the baby, etc.... I just can't understand how a person can treat their children like this! It drives me insane!
I am so glad you are helping her out. Goes to prove that young mother's can be just as good.
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I got all tensed up and forgot, POINTS NATION!
No excuse, none, not ever. If my daughter had done something like that, I would have given the pieces of her to the judge. Points nation.
the Judge did the right thing
points nation