A 36-year-old mother in Leeds, Alabama, faces charges of child torture after allegedly spraying her two elementary-school-age children with bear spray in their eyes and mouths. The incident came to light on March 8 when one child ran down the street crying for help. Christie Williams was arrested on Monday and released on bond.
On March 8 around 1:45 p.m., a child dashed down the 7100 block of Wood Carriage Lane in Leeds, yelling for help with red eyes and a puffy face, prompting a 911 call. Leeds police officers responded, visited the home, and took both children—elementary school age—to a hospital for evaluation. The children told authorities their mother had sprayed them with bear spray because they were unruly, according to charging documents and police statements reviewed by local outlets. Christie Williams, 36, was booked into Jefferson County Jail on Monday on charges of torture or willful abuse of a child. She was released hours later on $15,000 bond, jail records show. The children were placed in the custody of child welfare workers. Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin described the scene, saying, 'She was crying for help.' He added, 'I think it's terrible. I don't think you should be punishing your children with a spray that can be used on a bear. That's not to be used on humans.' Bear spray is stronger than typical pepper spray and can cause permanent eye damage at close range.