Bad Grade Punishment Lands Mom in Jail

A 31-year-old Spring Hill woman faces a number of criminal charges after her attempt to publicly humiliate her daughter over her bad grades went south.

According to a Hernando County arrest report, it didn’t take officials at West Hernando Middle School long to realize there was something wrong when a child reported for class last Friday wearing a white T-shirt that had been altered with marker.

The shirt had writing on both the front and the back proclaiming that its wearer had bad grades and wasn’t allowed to have a boyfriend. It also provided the warning: “Back off before I get another good whooping like I got last night.”

School officials quickly provided the girl with a new shirt. They also discovered marks on the child in the process and called in law enforcement.

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When a Hernando County deputy reported to the school to investigate, he found “numerous bruises and belt marks” on the child’s arms from the shoulders down to her wrists. As he questioned the child, he learned she had been beaten the night before with a white leather belt that had holes and metal divots.

The deputy and a representative from the state Department of Children and Families paid the mom a visit. The arrest report describes her as being “very uncooperative,” but does note she admitted to using “excessive force.”

Melany Joyce Alexander was booked into the Hernando County Jail on charges including cruelty toward a child and abuse that caused great bodily harm. She was also ordered to have no contact with the child and was told not to return to her address.

Alexander was released from jail Saturday in lieu of $2,500 bond.

Public shame has become somewhat of a parenting trend in recent times. A Georgia barber, for example, offers “Benjamin Button” haircuts for recalcitrant kids. And, then there was the mom who shamed her daughter for cutting class by following her with a camera and posting on Facebook. The trend’s popularity has given rise to outcries on both sides of the debate.

Physical abuse aside, what are your thoughts on publicly shaming kids? Is it an effective move or bad parenting? Share your opinions by commenting below!

Booking photo courtesy of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office

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