Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in September 2016.
In a disturbing incident at a Cleveland Walmart, police have launched an investigation after photos emerged on social media showing a man allegedly forcefully holding his daughter’s hair as she was pushed in a shopping cart.
Erika Burch and her husband, Robert, were stunned witnesses to the heart-wrenching scene that unfolded one Monday afternoon. Erika recounted how the man was dragging the young girl by her hair, while the frightened child begged desperately, “Please stop. I promise I won’t do it again. Please stop!”
Moved by the distressing sight, Erika quickly snapped several photos of the man and the terrified child. Summoning her courage, she confronted him and demanded he release the girl’s hair. The man responded defiantly, coldly saying, “No, you need to mind your own business.”
Robert Burch voiced his disbelief, saying, “He dragged that baby around the store.”
Another shopper, Ora Schumann, witnessed the unsettling scene as well. She recalled that the man appeared furious because the child wasn’t staying close to the shopping cart. Schumann described how the man grabbed the girl by her hair, yanking her toward the basket while sternly scolding her. The little girl, trembling, apologized repeatedly, “I’m sorry, I won’t do that again. I’m sorry.”
Disturbed by what she saw, Erika Burch didn’t hesitate—she immediately called the police, deeply worried for the child’s safety. Cleveland Police Chief Darrel Broussard echoed those concerns, confirming that officers are working closely with Child Protective Services (CPS) as the investigation unfolds.
Child Protective Services (CPS) told KPRC 2 that they are carefully reviewing the household to identify if other children live there and to determine whether the man in the photos shows a troubling “pattern of behavior.”
Erika Burch’s photos, shared on Facebook, have sparked widespread outrage, racking up over 18,000 shares. Many social media users voiced their heartbreak and concern for the little girl’s safety, with one commenting, “This is so sad. I feel awful for that poor baby girl. I hope this gets investigated further.”
Others stressed the seriousness of the abuse, with one user declaring, “No matter what a child does, you never pull them by their hair.”
However, reactions to the man’s disciplinary approach were mixed. While many condemned his actions, some urged caution before passing judgment. One user commented, “While I don’t agree with his methods, I’m not here to judge. Maybe the child needed discipline, and he made his choice.”
At this time, no charges have been filed, and the investigation is still underway. The incident has ignited a wider conversation about parenting, discipline, and what behavior is acceptable in public spaces.