‘It’s a laugh!’ Mum posts picture of Down’s boy in washing machine
A MOTHER has sparked outrage by posting a photograph of a toddler with Down’s syndrome inside a washing machine.
But Courtney Stewart insisted she took the picture ‘for a laugh’ after the boy had climbed into the machine of his own accord.
In the picture, the two-year- old wearing blue pyjamas can been seen curled up inside the machine, while an adult hand holds the door closed.
Miss Stewart, 21, shared the image on her Facebook page. But friends and neighbours reacted with anger when they saw it. One called police to report Miss Stewart for child cruelty, said the boy, who was in her care prompting officers to visit her at at the time, is small for his age and her home in Erskine, Renfrewsclimbed into the washing machine hire, in Scotland. of his own accord.
She was branded a ‘ scumbag’ She said it was turned off and and ‘nutter’, while one neighbour unplugged as she was awaiting even allegedly assaulted her on delivery of a new one. her doorstep. She added: ‘ He is clearly laugh
But despite widespread condeming in the pictures. So I don’t nation, Miss Stewart, who works understand why somebody took as a shop assistant at Next, that picture as – well, I don’t know defended her actions. She has, what they took it as. What did however, removed the image from they think I was doing to him? her Facebook page. Taking him for a spin?
She insisted: ‘He loves the wash‘He’s got a bit of a washing obsesing machine. We took a picture sion. Anyone who knows him and it was a laugh.’ Miss Stewart would know he’s got a washing obsession. I don’t know who reported it. I don’t really know why they would do that. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.’
A Police Scotland spokesman said the photograph was reported to them at around 3.30pm on Saturday. Officers visited Miss Stewart and checks were made.
It is understood the officers found no evidence a crime had been com- mitted. A neighbour, who did not want to be named, told the Daily Record: ‘It was terrible to look at. For anyone, let alone someone who is also a parent, to take a picture like that and stick it on Facebook for a laugh is unbelievable.
‘It’s no wonder people are angry about it. People in the town have been talking about it, because anyone who has seen it has been left shocked.’
Miss Stewart said she was horrified when police turned up at her home. She said: ‘It’s horrible having the police at the door thinking you’re a bad person. I was shocked, but in a sense I’m glad they didn’t just take it as a joke and not come and see me. So I was thankful in that way.
‘A male and a female officer were here asking me questions for more than an hour.’
A 42-year-old woman was arrested over the alleged assault on Miss Stewart. She appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday.
Renfrewshire Council said: ‘We can’t comment on individuals but we are vigilant on any issue which could potentially affect the welfare of a child.’
‘It was terrible to look at’