A mother physically abused her own child with a kitchen spoon and even bragged about how she received minimal punishment for it.
Twenty-six-year-old mother Lorien Norman faced up to 13 years in prison, but the final sentencing didn’t come close.
Now, the community in Adelaide is reeling right now, confused and outraged to learn that a mother has avoided serious jail time despite pleading guilty to the horrific charges of aggravated assault laid against her for physically assaulting her eight-month-old infant.
If the charges alone aren’t enough to break your heart, the child’s father’s words certainly will.
The child’s father, Shane McMahon has spoken with a local news outlet and passionately expressed his frustrations, outrage, and desperation over the South Australian court’s decision to go light on the mother, Lorien Norman.
Shane told the news that he believes Norman assaulted the younger of their two children, Evie, out of jealousy regarding his new relationship. The court heard that Norman called the police last October threatening to throw Evie off the balcony of her unit but when they arrived and noticed bruises all over Evie’s face, Norman initially lied and told officers the baby had fallen at a play gym.
It turns out the mother had beaten her baby with a spoon.
Both Lorien and Evie were taken to the hospital where a pediatrician there determined that Evie had been physically assaulted and hit in both her face and body at least eight times.
The doctors found that the baby had at least eight different bruises on her face and body, including bruises on her neck, forehead, cheeks, ears, and arms.
“Whilst any assault of a child, particularly one of such a tender age and vulnerability, by a parent stands as a gross breach of trust,” judge Jack Costello said in court, according to Daily Mail. “Your [Lorien’s] offending is nevertheless far from the most serious of offending of this type in terms of the degree of force involved and the duration of the offending.”
During sentencing, the judge also noted Norman’s history of drug and alcohol abuse but included noting that the mother-of-two had taken steps to her turn her life around. Her charges can carry up to a maximum 13-year sentence and those close to the family had hoped for more than what Norman received.
In a shocking turn of events, Judge Costello gave Norman a reduced sentence of a mere one year and nine months, which he said was because of her guilty plea. Then, to the horror of those around he fully suspended the sentence because Norman agreed to pay a $500 bond and guarantee her good behavior for two years.
Presently, Shane McMahon has full custody of both the children he had with Lorien Norman and told Nine News that he was completely stunned to learn of the court’s decision. In fact, he only even heard of the ruling because of an acquaintance that works at a law firm.
McMahon also says that he believes this is a game for Norman. In the days following her sentencing she texted him:
“I’m not in jail,” the text message from Norman to McMahon read. “What’s your next move?” And before he could respond she also said she had “made it” and that she would have “part custody within a year.”
McMahon also says he plans to fight the courts on behalf of his daughter, regardless of the judge believing that Norman was “clearly remorseful” of her actions. He will meet with a lawyer in the coming week to discuss custody, stating to Nine News:
“How do they expect me to hand over my child to her? How do you expect me to put her back in the arms of that person?”
It’s horrific when people abuse children or animals and get away with these sorts of things. Take a look at Judge Judy reuniting a little puppy with its true owner, after a woman refused to give it back.
Sources: AWM, Daily Mail
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