VIDEO: Mom Arrested After Letting 10 Year-Old Son Get Tattoo

Videos

by BMWK Staff | on January 19th, 2012 | 21 comments

ATLANTA – A Georgia mom is in trouble with the law after allowing her young son to get a tattoo to honor his dead brother. The mom recently allowed her 10-year-old to get a tattoo. Her other son died recently, and the 10-year-old wanted to honor him. “My son came to me and said, ‘Mom, I want to get a tattoo with Malik on it, rest in peace,’” she said. “What do I say to a child that wants to remember his brother?”

Someone at the child’s school saw the tattoo and called police. Police said they sympathize with the family, but their hands are tied. They are also investigating the tattoo artist.

About the author

Content and articles from the staff and guest contributors of BlackandMarriedWithKids.com

Add a comment

Comments (21)

Angel Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply

I think that she didn't abuse the child and did not leave him starving to go out and club, so while I might not choose to allow my children to get a tattoo at 10, that is her child. Who are we to judge?
Shyreeta Mouzone Harris Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply

I don't think it necessarily rises to the level of abuse, but I don't think it was a wise decision. And while I can understand saying we shouldn't judge because it's 'her child', I can't fully agree with that. First of all, being the parent of a child does not give a person absolute right to do whatever they want with that child. A tattoo is a very permanent thing and I don't think a 10 year-old is in a position to make a permanent decision such as getting a tattoo. I think this is the reason that children are given parents or guardians in the first place. It is our job to help protect them from whatever we have the power to protect them from including their own misguided wants and desires.There are many things my children have wanted to do over the years and I had to lovingly tell them 'No' because I feel that it is my job to deny them things that are not good for them at that time. I sympathize with this family who have lost a loved one, as I do with any family in that situation. It is such an unnatural thing to bury one's own child. I can only imagine that the mother is devastated and may not be in the position to make the best decisions right now. I just wish she had worked with her son to find other ways to memorialize his brother. Then, maybe they could have decided together on a future time to revisit the idea of him getting a tattoo for his brother. Maybe they could have discussed it at 15 or 16. For my own children, I will not allow them to get a tattoo as long as they are legally minors. At 18, they are legally able to sign for the consent and can get all the tattoos they want to get. I realize that for other people, they think that the middle teen years are an acceptable time and I just think that's a whole lot better than at age 10!
- Kevin Colbert-Living Legend Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply
  
  The child could've atleast waited until he was maybe 18 or older to get the tattoo. But you could do 100 other things to honor a fallen family member,besides getting a tattoo of their name on a TEN YEAR OLD CHILD!! Whatever happened to the Common Sense Genes in people these days?
- Cthompson620 Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply
  
  I couldn't have said it better myself. Well said on all points.
angel z. Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply

THA BOY IS 10,THATS WHY WE HAVE PARENTS,TO SAY "NO"WHERE HAS OUR MORALS WENT IN THIS WORLD. TO TEACH AND PROTECT OUR CHILDREN....SAD,SAD,SAD.......
- Guess Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply
  
  I don't think incarceration for the mom is wise. Mandatory grief and parenting classes would be appropriate.
  - Nia Morris Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply
    
    i agree..she should have been fined and given classes bc she's still grieving and not thinking clearly through her grief process
Kevin Colbert-Living Legend Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply

You wanna know what you say to a child that asks you that question?? YOU TELL HIM TO PUT IT ON A T-SHIRT!!!! Plain and simple....Then you wouldn't be behind bars,and this story would've never gotten posted....Smh!
Hoosier Newman Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply

The fingers are pointed in the wrong direction. The law should be directed at the Tattoo artist. Make it their responsibility to check ID. Individuals don't know what laws are passed and with the number of new laws being passed it is the responsibility of the State to require repeated TV & Radio notification of the new laws since newspapers are no longer the standard medium of information. More law makers out of touch with the rest of the world again!
- DME Friday - 20 / 01 / 2012 Reply
  
  No the fingers are pointed in the right direction. The law focused on the one who was in control, the Mother, does she belong in jail? Maybe for a week or two, because there are consequences to your actions, the tattoo artist by law needs parental consent and he/she had parental consent it does not matter what morals he/she has, the law was followed
Cthompson620 Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply

We have got to do better.
Anon Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply

Getting a tattoo is a moral issue? What did he get a tattoo of, a hooker with her boobs out? how is it a moral issue?
PoohBear Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply

It was between that mother and child. If she had him branded, or forced a tattoo on him that is one thing. It would also be wrong if the child were forced into getting a tattoo that was something they would regret later in life...even as an adult I have tattoos that I got as an adult that I wish I didn't have. But the names of my children-living and passed, are something that I will never regret. He didn't get a naked lady, a pair of dice or even a disney cartoon. He got his brothers name. This is a family choice- and no one elses. We don't run around and lock up people who get their baby's ears peirced....thats just as permant as tattoo's.
Briana Myricks Thursday - 19 / 01 / 2012 Reply

I think a mural would have been a lot more wise. However, I don't think the mom should have been charged with cruelty. Like some of the commenters said before, grief & parenting classes, and possibly a fine. I sympathize for the family but I also wish the mom would have thought things through more.
Kd Friday - 20 / 01 / 2012 Reply

What do I say to a child? You say, "No."
Vivrntnikki Friday - 20 / 01 / 2012 Reply

While it was a questionable decision that doesn't make her an abusive parent. Body art is beautiful and a true expression of something important to the wearer. A crime punishable by law this is not. It's personal . I hope that same school official is just as concerned with missed homework and attendance.
Guest Saturday - 21 / 01 / 2012 Reply

I think it was absolutely fine. I really wish people/ most of the commenters would live and let live. Everyone is different. This family is different. We give our children names based on who we are and what we would like, not because it's the "right" name for a child to have. Notice they have dreads, the mother has a tattoo herself. This is a part of their identity. I feel like this mother really cares about her son. It's probably way harder to care for those dreads than it is a buzz cut. Now personally I would never ever encourage my children to get a tattoo. And I noticed that the only people on this post who actually approve are the people who have tattoos themselves. I did pierce my daughter's ears at age 6 months and in retrospect I do wish I would've waited and let her make that decision herself. But what I'm saying is that everyone is different and has different values and because I wouldn't do a certain thing, I don't condemn others for doing it. Or because I think a certain thing is right doesn't mean that it's right for everyone. We do not have enough information to say that this woman is mistreating her child. And from what I can see and gather, she loves him dearly and cares for him as a mother should. All I'm saying people is Live And Let Live!
margie randon Saturday - 21 / 01 / 2012 Reply

i am from the old school normally i would say shame on mom but she did not let the child put anything vulgar on his body. this dose not fit the case of neglect i will pray for the family.
guest Saturday - 21 / 01 / 2012 Reply

I don't think this is criminal and should not be handled that way. While it is not a choice I would make, I don't think we can judge it. I don't think little girls should have dangerous chemicals put in thier hair, either.And before anyone says it, yes, that can also cause permanent damage and scarring. There are some cultures who tattoo among other things at 10 and earlier. Of all the things that happen in this world that we could criminalize, I think she should be left alone.
Dwanne Sunday - 22 / 01 / 2012 Reply

Come on mom REALLY! There were other ways that your 10 heard old could have honored his brother.
Trish Sunday - 22 / 01 / 2012 Reply

She needs to go straight to jail (I laugh as I type) but in all seriousness come on! Why not let him have a baby at 10 and name it after his brother? There are things that are for adults and not for children and since she clearly doesn't know the difference, her parenting needs to come into question.