Background: Beason Rd. in Orangeburg, S.C. (Google Maps). Inset: Thomas Baker (Orangeburg County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Office).
In a surprising turn of events in South Carolina, a father who sought help from law enforcement to manage his son’s behavior now finds himself at the center of a legal investigation.
Thomas Baker, 44, faces charges of unlawful conduct toward a child, according to a statement released by the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook. The incident unfolded when Baker contacted the sheriff’s office on a Saturday, complaining that his 11-year-old son was being difficult to handle.
Reports from NBC affiliate WIS in Columbia revealed that Baker expressed frustration to deputies over his son’s behavior, claiming the child was “unruly” and defied his instructions.
However, the investigation took a different direction when authorities discovered that Baker himself was allegedly responsible for the troubling situation. The sheriff’s office reported that Baker threatened his son after the child simply asked for food.
According to the sheriff’s statement, the young boy told deputies that when he requested something to eat, his father responded harshly, saying, “get the (expletive) out of my room or I’m going to wreck your (expletive) face.”
In a further disturbing allegation, Baker reportedly suggested to his son that he “should take a knife and stab it in the neck and pull it out that way.”
Baker made it abundantly clear he would not help his son, even if he was in trouble, according to WIS.
“If you are on fire, I’ll pour gas on you so you burn even more,” Baker reportedly told the chid.
Documents reportedly say the incident was captured on video provided to the sheriff’s office.
“It reminds me of the verse in Matthew that asks if your son asks for bread who would give him a stone?” Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said. “This boy didn’t even get a stone.”
The child has since been sent to stay with a family member, the TV station reported.
