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Mom in Hot Water After Admitting She Forced Son to Drink Hot Sauce on 'Dr. Phil'
Filed under: In The News
Granted, the segment is called "Mommy Confessions," but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know it's probably not the smartest thing in the world to appear on "Dr. Phil" with a home video of yourself screaming and berating your kid as you force him into a cold shower and shove hot sauce down his throat.
But an Alaskan mother did just that, and was arrested and charged with child abuse today after her appearance on the afternoon talk show, ABC News reports.
Jessica Beagley, a 36-year-old mother of six, was charged with misdemeanor child abuse in an Anchorage, Alaska courtroom, according to the network. She was not present at the arraignment, but her attorneys filed a not guilty plea.
On the show, which aired in November, Beagley told Dr. Phil McGraw she had trouble disciplining her adopted son Kristoff, 7, who has a twin, Kolya. Her home video brought McGraw's wife, Robin, and audience members to tears, according to the "Dr. Phil" website.
"We've tried a lot of different things to punish the kids," Beagley said on the show, admitting she's angry at the boy all the time, screams at him, puts hot sauce in his mouth and places him in a cold shower when he acts up.
In her home video, Beagley says she adopted the twins and felt an immediate bond with Kolya, but not Kristoff. The mom admits to spanking her child and forcing him to do jumping jacks until he's exhausted. During the video shown on "Dr. Phil," the boy is punished for getting "three cards pulled," meaning three infractions at school, ABC reports.
Beagley tells McGraw she berates Kristoff because he "is a chronic liar."
"He lies about most everything," she says. "He's been caught a number of times stealing food. Kristoff steals, not because he's hungry, but because he sees it, and he wants it. At my very lowest point, I thought that maybe it was a mistake to adopt the boys, but we have them now, and I'm not sending them back. So we just have to learn how to deal with them."
The home video was shot by Beagley's 10-year-old, according to the "Dr. Phil" website.
Experts on the show immediately called the mom's behavior child abuse, according to the "Dr. Phil" website.
"Dr. Phil, no one in this audience can stay in our seats," Areva Martin, a family attorney and child advocate, said during the show. "We're just appalled at this. We're looking at this little boy who seems so sweet and innocent, and we're looking at this behavior as moms. We're just shocked."
After the show aired, viewers flooded the Anchorage Police Department with calls, police tell ABC. The Anchorage Municipal Prosecutor said in court documents that the behavior in the video violates the municipal code protecting against child abuse.
"Nothing Jessica has done is criminal. If you give your child food that has hot sauce on it -- maybe they eat Mexican food -- does that mean its child abuse?" Bill Ingaldson, a lawyer for Beagley, tells ABC.
Beagley's next court date is scheduled for March.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
2-01-2011 @ 9:37AM
Angie said...What bullsh*t!! I can't believe this woman is facing charges for this!! Not all kids are easy to handle, and it takes extremes to get them to behave! I'm so appalled that she is actually being charged with child abuse. I put hot sauce in my child's mouth to cure her swearing issue. All you parents who say ' oh you just need to talk to them, or ground them, or put your foot down ' its NOT always that simple!! My daughter suffers from SEVERE ADHD with ODD. No punishment works for her! When she had the swearing problem, I used hot sauce instead of soap because of all the chemicals in soap. Spanking doesn't work, grounding doesn't work, taking everything she owns out of her room DOES NOT WORK. Authorities wonder why the generations are getting worse behaved, couldn't be that you're taking all of our disciplinary rights away?! If your child looks at you and says 'i hate you, bitch' (IT WILL HAPPEN, no matter how much of an angel your kid is) what do you do? You can't smack them, can't use soap, and now apparently, you can't use a food item that mexican families use on a daily basis. This country is ridiculous. Mind your own business people. The kid is FINE!!!
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2-01-2011 @ 12:34PM
Starr said...Wow. Using hot sauce in your meal is obviously okay. Putting it in your child's mouth with the INTENTION of inflicting pain is NOT okay. Spankings are one thing; hot sauce is another. Holding hot sauce in your mouth CAN cause permanent, physical damage over time. Use your head lady. Many kids have severe ADHD and ODD. There are ways of changing behavior without the use of hot sauce and cold showers.
And the kid is not fine! Even if he doesn't get permanent, physical damage from the hot sauce, he is suffering psychologically. And that is A BIG DEAL! You are just as warped as this woman so I'm sure you will disagree with that. Educate yourself a bit and grow up. I hope that someday your child will have the courage to turn you in as well.
2-02-2011 @ 10:31AM
Meghan said...Truly, I don't think that child IS fine. Did you watch the episode of Dr Phil? Did you see the video!? That child was terrified. He is an adopted orphan who did not know love before he got into that woman's home, and still does not know love. He has such a high probability of developing attachment disorders, behavioural disorders, coping disorders, so very many emotional and behavioural problems. I think it's absolutely beyond reprehensible to use ANYTHING to intentionally inflict pain on your child in the name of discipline. I'm not against spanking, but the point is to shock the child, NOT physically harm the child. Shame on you for using your child's disorders as an excuse to inflict pain and shame on her. Take a parenting class - I'm sure they can help you find new ways to cope with a child who has ADHD.
2-02-2011 @ 1:26AM
Coop said...Right on, Angie! People need to clean their own houses before they tell everyone else how to run theirs!
2-02-2011 @ 1:36AM
Nancy said...Angie- I too am a parent. Of 2 very wonderful boys with ADHD. I agree that sometimes no punishment seems to work. However, that being said, A freezing shower that causes him to scream in fear and discomfort is not acceptable. Everyone is talking about the hot sauce the hot sauce the hot sace. What about the freezing shower she forced him into? I do not think that he should have held the hot sacue in his mouth. Hot sauce was used in my family as punishment for as far back as I can remember. I used to suck my thumb and my mother would put it on my thumb and let it dry. Do I hate my mother for doing that to me? No I have great teeth because she stopped me. I also developed a love for spicy foods. I believe that she honestly wanted help for not only her and her son, but also, for all of her other children. She shouldn't of sent it to Dr. Phil. I mean people seem to forget what it was like when they grew up. If I did something wrong I was punished. I honestly believe that I am the person I am today because of the way parents raised me. I think this mother took her punishement to the extreme but I do not think she deserves to have a child abuse record for it.
Starr-- Do you even have children? In no way is angie anything like this woman. From what I gather and being a similar parent, Angie is just trying to raise her child the way she was raised. As for how to change the behavoir of a child with ADHD and ODD what would you recommend? Medication that makes them walk around like zombies. Oh wait that's right medication that rips the life away from the child is considered "helping" but allowing your child to be just who there are with simple punishments (ie. hot sauce in a much milder form than in this video, spankings) is considered "child abuse". And Everyone wonders why the crime rate and this country are going to hell in a hand basket.
2-11-2011 @ 4:28PM
Rose said...I feel sorry for you and your kids. You are obviously the product of an abusive upbringing. The extremes you and this other woman have taken to dicipline your kids is child abuse. I am mexican. I do not force my children to eat hot sauce, salsa, enchiladas or any thing that they think is to hot. It is absurd to think that children of "mexicans" are forced to eat hot sauce from the time they are babies and they just become use to it. It sounds like not only are you a bad mother, you are a racist and a bigot. My children (4) have never told me they hate me bitch. 16, 20, 21, & 25 yrs old. I think they should do a welfare check on you, especially because your daughter has severe ADHD. She requires a parent that is more so patient and compashionate. Maybe you have been told that you are hated and you were called a bitch becuase you are hated and you are a bitch. Why do you think parents should hate thier children. You probably treat strangers with more compassion, patients, and respect than you do your children. I urge you to get help. Your poor daughter will either grow up and practice your same poor parenting skills on her own children or she will break the cycle of abuse and be the complete opposite. I will pray for your family and families that have the same mentality. None of us are angels, but no one deserves to be bullied and abused especially in the name of "parenting".
8-27-2011 @ 9:26AM
Kris said...Angle, you sound like a Damn fool. what she did is child abuse. by her own omission she admits always being mad at him. Making your child take a cold shower is cruel and she deserves to go to jail. There's nothing wrong with your child eating hot sauce with their food but when you force them to then It's a problem. You sound like you need parenting classes and tips for your child.
2-01-2011 @ 12:37PM
Lauren said...Even is she isn't being abusive, she clearly needs help. Its doesn't really sound like the boy is that bad, but that she clearly has some grudge against him. That does spell trouble. Its terrible for a child to grow up knowing his mom (or dad) hates him. I think that its great that its going to court. And if she's really innocent it'll be proved once and for all. And if she's guilty, appropriate actions will be taken. Everybody wins.
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2-01-2011 @ 7:05PM
Chris said...I have an EXTREMELY strong-willed child who was diagnosed with PDDNOS. It makes the disciplining process quite difficult at times. I have found two books extremely helpful for ideas. They are: Making Your Children Mind Without Losing Yours and Hints On Child Training. My son is now almost 13 years old, and is doing very well. These books have been very helpful by giving me a template to build on. Every mom needs to realize, the more upset we get at our kiddos the more it gives them a since of power. It doesn't matter whether we are physically stronger or not.
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2-01-2011 @ 9:54PM
bsparks101 said...Who cares!!! She should be arrested for being stupid enough to film it... IDIOT!!!
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2-03-2011 @ 6:45PM
Tina said...I have an extremely strong willed 5 year old child as well, (dxed with PDD-NOS at age 4). Since he was about 18 months, people have told me all that I am doing wrong. Has anyone offered to help? No. Trust me, I've asked. I've asked everywhere.
I've been to Early Intervention, they wouldn't help (we didn't have DX and he was 8 months away from reaching their cut-off age). I've been a counselor, but I didn't have the $400/month to pay for her help and I couldn't afford to commute 2 hours each way to reach one my insurance was willing to pay 1/2 for (for 6 sessions, then I was on my own). We were kicked out of gen-ed preschools because of behavior issues. I've read books, I've searched online, I've waited 2 years to get in to see a developmental pediatrician, and I've cried out for help so much there was no voice left. Everyone said, "my child obeys because I talk to him about his behavior", and things like that. Some children are different!
This mom was reaching out for help. I'm betting she has tried other avenues. Sometimes, you do all you can do and even that doesn't work.
This is why abuse happens. People are real quick to tell you how wrong you are, but where are they when your asking for help?
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2-02-2011 @ 12:30PM
Lyn said...She admits she has no bond with this child. And it's obvious by her interview with Dr. Phil that she was wrong to adopt both in the first place. Why would anyone with with 4 kids want to continually have more especially at only 36. Please let this child find a loving environment so he can thrive and not be another statistic.
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2-02-2011 @ 2:08PM
Angel said...If your child is having severe behavior issues and you are at your wit's end, please start using the following prayer
I love you
I'm sorry
Please forgive me
Thank you
Start repeating it (in your head) anytime you feel angry or feel yourself reacting to your child's behavior. It is a miracle. You can also teach it your child, if you ask "Why are you doing this?" and the answer is "I don't know." Help them to replace angry impulses with this prayer. (it is more important for you to do it, though). You will see miracles happen in your home. I know this sounds kooky, but PLEASE TRY IT. So much more effective than punishments or hot saucing.
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2-09-2011 @ 3:18PM
Willum said...For those of you who support this twisted woman even a little bit, please read this... Let me preface by saying that no one who knows me would consider me a "bleeding heart" anything. When my children were younger I was not afraid to swat their bottoms, smack their hands, ground them or punish them accordingly, so my opinion doesn't come from someone who belives simply in "time-outs" (those don't work in my experience by the way)...ok, on to my story...
When I first saw this story on the news I was visiting my parents who are in their seventies, I was upset by it, my mother was upset by it, but my father got absolutely enraged, yelled at the TV and left the room...I was shocked by his response, so later I asked him why he had a stronger than usual reaction to the story because my father isn't the type to show what he's really feeling too much. After a bit of prodding, he proceeded to tell me that when he was a P.O.W. in vietnam that these were two of the many techniques that were used to torture American soldiers, including him. He just couldn;t belive that any reasonable person could do that to a chail that they are supposed to love and protect.
That was all I had to hear. These are techniques used to torture...plain and simple. That woman is torturing her child because she can't stand his behavior. Torturing our soldiers in Vietnam or torturing your own child...it's still torture. This woman and anyone who approves of her behavior are advocating torture. She belongs on jail.
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2-10-2011 @ 11:07AM
Jennifer said...I understand children not listening, i have a 6 and 2 1/2 year old. Believe me they dont listen at all! But yelling, screaming, hot sauce, feeezing cold showers are way over the edge!
The more you scream at a child or disipline in that nature is only going to make them not listen that much more!
I dont think she needs to serve time but those children do need to be taken away and put into a loving home.
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2-12-2011 @ 10:15PM
Nicole said...Putting a drop or two of hot sauce on his tongue would have been one thing - she poured a good teaspoon at least; made him sit there holding it AND THEN ordered him to "swish it around" - sorry but that's excessive and yes abusive.
My girls are 5&3 and I'm not against using soap; but I'm not putting the bar in their mouth either! A dab on your finger is enough - it's about the unpleasantness factor not the pain factor!
The ice cold shower was just icing on the cake ... that poor child
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2-13-2011 @ 5:50PM
ker said...it is one thing to eat hot sauce because you like it - it is another when it is used as a punishment! there is a great big difference between being forced to do something as a punishment and doing something because you enjoy it! punishment is punishment! and physical punishment is abuse - period!
we live in a country full of sociopaths - just because you haven't been diagnosed as one doesn't mean you are not one! watch forensic shows, they show people who live "normal" lives who are really sociopaths, just didn't get caught until they were adults! so just because you haven't been arrested of a crime yet, does not mean you are okey-dokey! if you don't see the abuse in this story, you are most likely a sociopath. and if you are too dumb to understand the difference between doing something you want to do and being punished, then you are just dumb, unintelligent, stupid.
kids are NOT punching bags people! maybe you forget about every little thing that you scream out of your filthy mouths, but the victims of child abuse remember every single word and each one makes them a little more dead inside. i know because i was the victim of child abuse. as an adult, in psychological counseling since my teen years (my idea, not my parents', they couldn't have cared less if i had treatment or not), i am still unable to form lasting relationships with the opposite sex that do not hinge on some kind of abuse (usually, me abusing them, since it is just about the only way i know to "show love"), and i have few friends of the same sex, either. and it's not because i don't try, it's because i was hard-wired from a young age to be twisted. even mild child abuse makes a person difficult to live with, and life hard to enjoy. no matter what successes i have in life - i have a masters degree and almost a doctorate - i see myself as a loser because that is what i was told i was, that is what was screamed at me as a child.
those of you to whom the abuse aspects of this woman's behavior either goes over your heads, or who are probably so sick yourself you don't see it, i feel sorry for your children, if you have them. i was smart enough when i was a kid to say to myself, "life sucks, i don't want to drag another human being into this world," and i never had kids. they would have suffered, because i am emotionally stunted from abuse. these children will be, too - yes, even the one who the woman doesn't abuse is affected by the twin's abuse. brothers and sisters are part of the abusive atmosphere, and they suffer, too.
boy, too many of you don't know proper punishment from abuse - doesn't surprise me, just scares me. and then we blame gays and abortion for why this country is so bad?? it's stupidity and okaying abuse that are turning people into sociopaths.
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3-03-2011 @ 2:40PM
gorg said...i need video film
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8-20-2011 @ 2:37AM
Barb said...My dad put hot sauce on my fingernails when I was five to make me stop biting them. Fortunately, my mom was there to put to a stop to it! She washed them off, but it was still awful. I still bit them. I could taste it for days. That woman who does not know how to raise children should lose them. Let the kids go back to a home where they slept in an armoir! They were just poor, but they were loved. I had behavioral problems due to ADD and as an adult looking back, I can't tell you how awful you feel not being able to concentrate. I finally got help when I was older. Medications helped stabelize me. Please don't feel it is better to put hot sauce in your kid's mouths than medications! I hated my father for his barbaric crap! He is long gone, but my memories of him still prevail. He was an alcoholic and I put it down to drunkeness. That Alaskan woman will not have that for an excuse. Her's will just be pure meaness. If people can't handle kids, give them up to foster care. Really, mothers, if you have behavioral problems with the kids, get them medically checked out. They usually have a chemical imbalance. Medication will take care of it.
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