Wisconsin Mother in Jail after She Abused 2-year-old Son and Livestreamed Abuse on Social Media; Other Woman Also in Jail for Alleged Abuse
A 24-year-old woman in Wisconsin has been sentenced for livestreaming footage of herself physically abusing her 2-year-old son, pulling the child’s hair forcefully as he cried for help. Marinette County Circuit Court Judge Jane M. Sequin has issued a ruling, sentencing Natasha L. Hunt to 1 year in jail and three years of probation.
This decision comes after Hunt pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse, specifically intentionally causing harm.
Sequin, acknowledging Hunt’s 313 days already served, also suspended an additional sentence of two years in prison. This sentence will only be enforced if Hunt fails to comply with the terms of her probation. Hunt’s charge of disorderly conduct was dropped after he admitted guilt.
In addition to the incident of abuse, a 26-year-old woman named Amara Burns has also been arrested. Officials reported that Burns allegedly assaulted one of the officers present at the scene. According to records, she was found guilty of battery against a police officer and received a three-year probation sentence.
According to authorities, the incident occurred on August 24, 2023, in Niagara, Wisconsin as reported by Law and Crime.
Officers from the Niagara Police Department were alerted to a video that had been circulating on various social media platforms. The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office and the Iron Mountain Police Department reached out to inform them about the video, as stated in a probable cause affidavit.
The video was described by the police in the affidavit.
“In the video, (Hunt) approached Amara and (the victim),” the document states. “(Hunt) grabbed (the victim) by the hair and began to pull violently, (Hunt) was pulling (the victim’s) head in multiple directions. (Hunt) was looking at the camera with an angry look on her face. (The victim) was saying ‘OW’ repeatedly and began to cry.”
According to the police, Burns was observed raising her hands in the air while observing Hunt. Although Burns did not actively participate in pulling the child’s hair, the police observed that she was holding the child in her lap while Hunt inflicted physical pain on the victim. It is worth noting that Burns did not make any effort to intervene and stop Hunt’s actions.
“Then she began pulling (the victim)’s hair again to the point that she pulled (the victim) off Amara’s lap and out of the picture. I could hear (the victim) saying ‘OW’ and crying,” the document states. “You can see Natasha moving around as if she was still pulling (the victim)’s hair. Amara looked in the direction of where this incident was occurring and looked back at the camera, smiling. She again did not attempt to stop Natasha from harming (the victim).”
During a brief pause, the video captures Hunt momentarily stopping her hair-pulling before resuming the action.
Following the examination of the footage, the police proceeded to interrogate the two women involved. Both individuals maintained their innocence and claimed to have no knowledge of any abuse inflicted upon Hunt’s son, according to the authorities. They adamantly denied making any social media posts that day. Upon being apprehended, Burns displayed aggressive behavior by assaulting one of the arresting officers.
Hunt’s probation conditions prohibit any contact with Burns, entering bars or liquor stores, using drugs or associating with drug dealers, and interacting with any child under the age of 18, unless authorized by a court agent. In addition, she will need to undergo a mental health evaluation and participate in a parenting program, all while balancing her work responsibilities.