Being a good mom can be really tough, especially when times get hard. Every parent has their own challenges and makes different choices depending on what they’re going through. It’s important to remember not to judge or criticize how others choose to raise their kids.
Unfortunately, one mother experienced the harsh consequences of mom shaming when a fellow parent took her actions to the extreme by involving the police.
Melissa Shields Henderson, a single mother of five, finds herself in a predicament that many can relate to. With her children unable to attend school or daycare due to the pandemic, Henderson had to find a way to support her family while ensuring their well-being. As a divorced single mom, she often faces difficult parenting decisions.
In May 2020, Henderson, a resident of Blairsville, Georgia, found herself needing to work at a health spa located 23 miles away in Blue Ridge. Since she had no other options, she made the difficult decision to leave her 14-year-old daughter, Linley, in charge of her four younger brothers and sisters.
Henderson believed this was well within Georgia law, which allows children ages 13 and older to be left alone and responsible for younger siblings for up to 12 hours.
While Henderson was at work and Linley was engaged in remote learning, her four-year-old sibling, Thaddeus, momentarily slipped away to play with a neighbor down the street.
Fortunately, Linley noticed Thaddeus’s absence within 10 to 15 minutes and immediately brought him back home safely. However, unbeknownst to them, a concerned parent had already alerted the authorities during that short period.
When Henderson returned from work, she was unexpectedly confronted by the police, who informed her about her son’s solo adventure. Little did she know that this incident would have significant consequences.
Two weeks later, she found herself in handcuffs, taken to jail, and went through the embarrassing process of being booked and put in a cell. Henderson shared her pain, feeling lost and unable to support her family.
While her ex-husband managed to bail her out of jail, the legal battle continues to loom over Henderson’s head, causing tremendous stress and uncertainty. If convicted, she could face up to one year in prison and a $1000 fine.
Henderson’s attorney gave his thoughts on the matter, explaining the tricky parts of the case. You can check out his explanation in the video below.
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help Henderson with her legal issues and to pay for her costs. Right now, she is only able to work part-time because she is worried about getting arrested again, which makes it hard for her to take care of her kids.
This story makes us think about our own lives as parents. Have you ever let an older brother or sister take care of a younger one? Do you think Henderson should have faced such harsh punishment for what happened? We’d love to hear your opinions and any similar experiences you might have!