There were two monsters that dominated Chicago headlines yesterday. One is a man who allegedly killed numerous teen girls, stooping so low as to have sex with one teen after he and his friends beat her to death.
And then there was the news of Jonathan Massey, charged with murdering his girlfriend’s 14-month old son while she was out with her friends.
The baby was crying, so Massey punched him in the torso. The baby continued crying, so Massey beat him some more and then placed his hand over his mouth and nose suffocating him to death, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher Costello.
The mother returned home to find her son blue and unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
This is not a black phenomenon or a inner city phenomenon, but there is a lesson embedded in such horrific “baby sitter” crimes against children: Momma’s baby. Poppa? Maybe.
In other words, the mother, no matter her relationship status, is ultimately responsible for her child’s welfare.
Parenting is the toughest job on the planet. Single parents, especially single moms, rarely get a break. It’s unfortunate that quality baby sitters are hard to come by, or perhaps, the child’s father is unavailable to pull his weight and watch his child when she needs him.
Nevertheless, a child’s life is dependent on a mother’s decision.
Consider this dynamic and scenario: The boyfriend is charged with supervising a child that is not his own. Perhaps he’s envious of this child because, in his mind, the child receives too much attention from his woman. Perhaps this child is an in-his-face reminder of a former lover or a man whom he suspects may still come around.
For whatever reason, this man is not fully invested in this child’s happiness or safety, and the woman may never know it. Even worse, some people just don’t like kids at all and may pinch, slap or kick a child out of spite. Depending on the child’s age, he or she may be far too young to communicate the abuse to their parent.
A few weeks ago, blogger Kenyea Beach revealed the power struggle that may ensue between male preteens and their mothers’ new boyfriends:
…This new man to me tried to whoop me. As my mother watched this individual put his hands on me — or try— I felt betrayed, hurt, disgusted, raped, angry, resentful, unloving, lost, and focused on killing him! Literally! It was a stranger in my house, trying to hurt me, and my mother stood by and watched because she wanted him to feel empowered?
This man was not my grandfather, father, uncle, mentor or friend. She had just met him. Did she need a loving relationship to the point of letting us be touched by anyone?
Warnings are always best with visuals. So, here’s a harrowing throwback video to consider the next time you select your baby sitter.
