05-10-2012, 08:28 AM
For an F on her report card.
A Minnesota couple faces criminal charges after police said they punished their 12-year-old girl by shaving her head and making her wear a diaper in public.
On Monday, neighbors and a classmate saw the girl doing wind sprints in a suburban Minneapolis townhouse complex. Her head had been freshly shaved, and she was dressed in a diaper and a tank top.
According to the criminal complaint, the girl said this was the third time she was placed on what she called "diaper duty." The punishment came from her mother for getting an "F" on her report card.
Stephane Broten, 38, and Darnell Landrum, 34, of Fridley, were charged Wednesday with malicious punishment of a child, a gross misdemeanor.
Broten was released on bail on the condition she has no contact with the daughter. Landrum had a small bail set because of a minor criminal history.
The couple had warned the girl repeatedly she would be placed on "diaper duty" if she failed any classes and didn't listen in school, the complaint said.
The girl and the three other children belonging to the couple have been placed in foster care.
Dozens of people from the neighborhood watched on Monday as the girl cried and begged to be let back in her home. Neighbors eventually called police, who arrested her mother and her boyfriend. Fridley Police Lt. Mike Monsrud said the couple laughed and joked as they were driven to the Anoka County jail on Monday. Monsrud said the girl's mother said she couldn't believe that police were getting involved in how they punished their child.
June Campbell, 48, said he saw the girl standing at her backdoor crying, saying, "Can I come in? Can I come in?" But the mother just looked at the girl.
By that time, about 25 people had gathered at the back of the girl's townhouse, which shares a lawn with other buildings. Carl Anderson, 28, said he had stepped out for a smoke when he saw kids coming around the corner and pointing out the girl.
On Tuesday, Anderson said he wished he had taken the girl into his home.
Campbell said the girl was let into her house when police officers arrived about 7:30 p.m.
Officers had responded to four calls in the past two years at the family's townhouse, police said. At least one of the calls triggered notification to a county child protection worker, Monsrud said.
When police arrived Monday, the child had been outside in the diaper for about 30 minutes. Police said she was hysterical. Officers were able to calm her and get her to talk about what had happened.
Tyree Caruthers, 14, said it wasn't the first time he had seen the girl humiliated. He said that several months ago, while he was playing basketball, he saw the girl and her younger sister in diapers and picking up garbage at a nearby park.
A Minnesota couple faces criminal charges after police said they punished their 12-year-old girl by shaving her head and making her wear a diaper in public.
On Monday, neighbors and a classmate saw the girl doing wind sprints in a suburban Minneapolis townhouse complex. Her head had been freshly shaved, and she was dressed in a diaper and a tank top.
According to the criminal complaint, the girl said this was the third time she was placed on what she called "diaper duty." The punishment came from her mother for getting an "F" on her report card.
Stephane Broten, 38, and Darnell Landrum, 34, of Fridley, were charged Wednesday with malicious punishment of a child, a gross misdemeanor.
Broten was released on bail on the condition she has no contact with the daughter. Landrum had a small bail set because of a minor criminal history.
The couple had warned the girl repeatedly she would be placed on "diaper duty" if she failed any classes and didn't listen in school, the complaint said.
The girl and the three other children belonging to the couple have been placed in foster care.
Dozens of people from the neighborhood watched on Monday as the girl cried and begged to be let back in her home. Neighbors eventually called police, who arrested her mother and her boyfriend. Fridley Police Lt. Mike Monsrud said the couple laughed and joked as they were driven to the Anoka County jail on Monday. Monsrud said the girl's mother said she couldn't believe that police were getting involved in how they punished their child.
June Campbell, 48, said he saw the girl standing at her backdoor crying, saying, "Can I come in? Can I come in?" But the mother just looked at the girl.
By that time, about 25 people had gathered at the back of the girl's townhouse, which shares a lawn with other buildings. Carl Anderson, 28, said he had stepped out for a smoke when he saw kids coming around the corner and pointing out the girl.
On Tuesday, Anderson said he wished he had taken the girl into his home.
Campbell said the girl was let into her house when police officers arrived about 7:30 p.m.
Officers had responded to four calls in the past two years at the family's townhouse, police said. At least one of the calls triggered notification to a county child protection worker, Monsrud said.
When police arrived Monday, the child had been outside in the diaper for about 30 minutes. Police said she was hysterical. Officers were able to calm her and get her to talk about what had happened.
Tyree Caruthers, 14, said it wasn't the first time he had seen the girl humiliated. He said that several months ago, while he was playing basketball, he saw the girl and her younger sister in diapers and picking up garbage at a nearby park.
![[Image: Zy3rKpW.png]](https://i.imgur.com/Zy3rKpW.png)
Oops, thanks Jezreel. More coffee in order! Usually we get the names and photos.
![[Image: s-STEPHANIE-BROTEN-DARNELL-LANDRUM-DIAPE...-large.jpg]](http://i.huffpost.com/gen/599718/thumbs/s-STEPHANIE-BROTEN-DARNELL-LANDRUM-DIAPER-DAUGHTER-large.jpg)
