Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in September 2016.
Disturbing Incident at Cleveland Walmart Sparks Police Investigation
Police in Cleveland have launched an active investigation after disturbing photos surfaced online. The images appear to show a man forcefully gripping his daughter’s hair and attaching it to a shopping cart inside a Walmart.
Witnesses Speak Out
Erika and Robert Burch witnessed the incident unfold on a Monday afternoon. Erika said the man dragged the girl by her hair as the child pleaded, “Please stop. I promise I won’t do it again.”
Acting quickly, Erika snapped several photos and confronted the man, urging him to let go of the child’s hair. He responded defiantly, “No, you need to mind your own business.”
Robert Burch added, “He dragged that baby around the store.”
More Witnesses Come Forward
Another shopper, Ora Schumann, also observed the scene. She believed the man was upset because the girl wasn’t standing close to the cart. According to Schumann, he grabbed the child by her hair, yanked her toward the basket, and scolded her. The child apologized repeatedly, saying, “I’m sorry. I won’t do that again.”
Erika Burch’s photo of a man allegedly forcefully gripping his daughter’s hair onto a shopping cart inside Walmart, Photo Credit: CBS Texas/Youtube
Authorities Respond
Erika called the police immediately. Cleveland Police Chief Darrel Broussard confirmed they are working closely with Child Protective Services (CPS). CPS is now reviewing the household to check for other children and to assess if the man shows a history of abusive behavior.
Viral Photos and Public Reaction
Erika shared the photos on Facebook, where they quickly went viral—garnering over 18,000 shares. Many users expressed outrage and sadness. One wrote, “This is so sad. I feel awful for that poor baby girl. I hope this gets investigated further.”
Another commented, “No matter what a child does, you never pull them by their hair.”
A Divided Public
While many condemned the man’s actions, others urged caution before making judgments. One user said, “I don’t agree with his methods, but I’m not judging him either. Maybe the child needed discipline, and this was his way.”
Ongoing Investigation
At this time, no charges have been filed. The investigation continues as the case raises broader concerns about parental discipline and public accountability.
