The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

Palmdale woman arrested for beating 2-year-old

by •

The toddler was airlifted to Children's Hospital as a precaution, after a passerby saw him being hit with a belt near 10th Street East and Palmdale Boulevard, authorities said. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
The toddler was airlifted to Children’s Hospital as a precaution, after a passerby saw him being hit by a woman near 10th Street East and Palmdale Boulevard, authorities said. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

PALMDALE – A two-year-old boy was airlifted to the hospital Friday after he was allegedly beaten by a 27-year-old woman near a Palmdale bus stop, authorities said.

A passerby witnessed the incident around 12:42 p.m. near 10th Street East and Palmdale Boulevard, according to Lt. Harris of the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.

Michelle Fletcher, 27, of Palmdale was arrested for child cruelty and assault. (LUIS MEZA)
Michelle Fletcher, 27, of Palmdale was arrested for child cruelty and assault. (LUIS MEZA)

“I won’t get into specifics, but the caller reported that she saw this person walking, and that they had a belt and they were hitting the child,” Harris said.

“The deputies responded out there and were able to determine there was a felony child assault that appeared to have occurred involving a two-year-old child and the child’s mother,” Harris said.

The suspect, Palmdale resident Michelle Fletcher, also had an eight-month-old baby in a stroller. The baby was taken into protective custody, while the two-year-old was airlifted to Children’s Hospital for observation, according to Harris.

“The child was conscious and breathing, but airlifted as a precaution,” Harris said. “Apparently he was a little bit woozy and unresponsive.”

Fletcher was arrested on suspicion of felony child cruelty and assault, Harris said.

No further information on the two-year-old’s condition was immediately available Friday afternoon. The case is being handled by the Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victim’s Bureau, Harris said.

UPDATED 2/21/14 @ 7:45 pm: CORRECTION

Michelle Fletcher is NOT the mother of the 2-year-old, but is the mother of the 8-month-old, according to a Palmdale Sheriff’s Station news release issued minutes ago. Fletcher was allegedly kicking the 2-year-old and using a belt to assault him. The child has been evaluated and he is listed in “good condition.”

Fletcher’s 8-month-old baby was taken into protective custody, and the Department of Children and Family Services is investigating and making the determination as to child protection and placement concerns.

Fletcher was booked at the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station and is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending future court proceedings.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact the Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273.

–

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

93 comments for "Palmdale woman arrested for beating 2-year-old"

  2. God bless the person that reported this abuse and didn’t look the other way like most people would do. I would do the same in a heart beat.

  3. THIS IS A BABY, A BABY!!! NO ONE SHOULD HIT HIM. SHE WAS THE BABY SITTER. THE CHILD MOM SHOULD BE QUESTIONED AS WELL, SHE IS THE ONE WHO LEFT HER DISABLED BABY WITH THAT LADY….I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT THE 8 MONTH OLD HAS SEEN

    • Well, you got one thing correct; he is a baby. She was not a babysitter per se but was his father’s girlfriend. The child was in his father’s custody when this happened, not the mother’s. There is some conflict as to whether or not that the boy is autistic.

    • I know them personally ,the father, biological mom and the step mom. The mom left her child with the father and yes there is a debate over rather he is disabled or not but from actually babysitting the child myself can say he is pretty normal functioning just hyper. Thus whole situation to me is crazy just because I don’t believe she would do it because ive never seen her use unnecessary force on him when the child lives with them on and off,but a witness did see her doing it and trust me if you live in antelope valley especially in that area you’d know it’s a small tight knit community everyone knows everyone so no one would have reported it without it bieng they believed the child was bieng abused.but I just pray for her two biological children that are now in the system and for her to be strong during these next few years because they’ll be a ride.

  4. Great, now when my son gets older, using a belt to whoop him (should it be necessary) is going to be considered assault! Thanks Michelle (if it turns out that is what really took place). I do find it funny that parents cant whoop their kids without it being abuse (not in this case), but when police do it, it is NOT abuse. If police have the right to beat a person becuase they are resisting arrest or disobeung a lawful order, why cant a parent WHOOP their child for disobeying a lawful order? Just wondering. Regarding this case, I hope that this story is not true! Then you have to think about it: as a black person, you have to be careful what you do in public. It should not have to be that way, but when something can be percieved wrong, which with blacks, it usually is, be smart about your decisions. Im not pulling the race card or anything, just saying whooping a child in public, to some, can be looked at the wrong way and reportes the wrong way. Like the military’s sexual harassment policy: one I make a sexual joke to somebody, and a 3rd person just happens to hear it and find it offensive, they can report it and it caould be a mess.. So just be careful!

    • Guardian angel. . Your are CRAZY, “whoop”?? The article clearly says there were signs of FELONY CHILD ASSAULT. He was woozy and UNRESPONSIVE, that’s a WHOPPIN comparable to a citizen not following police orders? ? Further more leave race OUT of it, abuse is abuse. Yes a child can do something to deserve a whoopin and by all means discipline your children but this is a AUTISTIC 2 YEAR OLD. You sound might eager to WHOOP your son. SMH GOOD LUCK

      • I honestly do not know where the whole “autism” rumor originated, but as one who knows the child, I would like to correct that. He is not autistic, and is actually able to communicate fairly well for a 2 year-old and does not display any traits of an autistic child.

      • Leave Race Out of It.. Though I do have my crazy moments, there was nothing crazy about what I stated. So, let’s break this down: the article says “…were able to determine there was a felony child assault that appeared to have occurred…” Could that be simply because she in fact DID have a belt in her hand? Who knows? The article is not that specific. NEXT,”Apparently he was a little bit woozy and unresponsive.” The key word here, is “apparently” meaning according to what may SEEM to be the case but may not actually be so. By all means, I am not defending her becuase I do not know how accurate the story is, nor do I know the individuals in the article. All I was saying was using a belt to whoop a child is already “suspect” in the eyes of some people. With this incident taking place in public, I am sure it just adds to the list of of why it should be against the law to use a belt to whoop a child. MY parents used a belt on me and my brothers many of times, unless my mom could find something closer to use. It was not child abuse because there were no ill intentions behind it, rather love and discipline. The reason I compared it following police orders because they both render the same overall conclusion: you disobey, you get disciplined. (though they have different wasy of disciplining) Maybe the not the BEST scenario, but it gets the point across. And yes, abuse is abuse regardless of the race, that was not what I meant. Lastly, I do not know of any child being Autistic, that was not in the article, somebody made that comment. HOWEVER, just a side note, just becuase one is mentally challenged, that doe not mean anything goes. I am not being sympathetic in anyway, I have just seen lazy parents/people who just use that as an excuse to let that person lash out and not explain anything to them. (that does not apply to every one) I kind of steered of course here… I do not sound eager to whoop my child, but I wont hesitate if it is necessary!

    • Why on earth would any rational parent use a belt on a two year old (or any child for that matter)?? And if you’re going to do that in public I shudder to think what you’d do in private. Children learn what they live. Two year olds ARE unreasonable. Most of their frustration comes from the fact that they cannot yet communicate effectively what they want. They don’t posses the same reasoning and logic that we adults are supposed to have. It is our job to lovingly yet firmly guide them. It’s the adult’s job to figure out what they need and give it to them if it’s appropriate or help them to calm down and redirect them to something different. Yes, it can be frustrating. But to expect them to function with the same rationale that we grown-ups are supposed to have is ridiculous and dangerous! A two year old doesn’t misbehave as a form of revenge or to “get you.” They misbehave because they don’t yet have the maturity to do otherwise. Tatiana, take the time to study child development and you’ll have a much better picture. Just remember this – be prepared for what you do to your child to be done to you some day. Discipline doesn’t mean beating and punishing. The root word of discipline is disciple, which means to teach. What are you teaching your child by pulling out a belt and whooping them. What could a two year old possibly understand from being beaten on a public street with a belt when he’s not even old enough to use the potty? He’s a baby. He needs to be redirected and loved. It’s not a racial issue. It’s an issue of abuse. It happens across all cultures, races, creeds and religions. And in all of it’s forms it’s unacceptable. The bystander who reported the incident is a hero. Evil prevails when good people sit back and do nothing. We need more like this bystander. If your actions are honorable, then you’ve got nothing to worry about. @Tatiana, the fact that you’re concerned that you’ll be subjected to scrutiny and judgement for punishing a child in public tells me that your inner voice knows that kind of treatment is downright wrong. Listen to that voice. You and your family don’t have to become statistics. You can change the patterns of generations before you that are no longer working.

    • @guardian: Parents are allowed to spank their kids. Despite the hoopla the libs want us to believe, spanking your kid has never been against the law. Yes, things have changed, in that using objects that leave injury (belts, etc.) are not a good idea anymore in the eyes of the law. That being said, as a poster below mentioned, facts will come out in court showing this piece of filth was not just “whooping” the kid with a belt, it was much worse. As far as comparing it to cops using force? Seriously? Guardian angel, just make sure you raise your kid correctly and there will be much less of a chance the cops will need to “beat” him. If people did a better job of parenting the cops wouldn’t need to use force nearly as often as they do now. The decay of society is directly related to lack of discipline by the parents, especially in the black community where they have something like what is it, 75% of kids born out of wedlock? Fix that first, and fix your behavior in public guardian angel!

      • @captain, not sure where u get yr #. It’s not a black problem, single mothers r in all shapes & colors. I know many of my friends kids that live together and don’t marry. U think that some liberal took yr right to beat yr kid. U can spank, but u can’t assault them, if u could be arrested for assault against a stranger u went to far.

      • Tatiana you probably abuse your children too u act like this lady had every right to beat this kid plus it was not even her kid you should go with this lady to jail if u think this way ppl like that dont deserve to have kids they dont deserve to be called mothers…

      • @Captain

        Like I told “Leave Race Out of It” a few comments ago, maybe comapring it to the law was a bad scenario however, my point was they both render the same overall results: “you disobey, you get disciplined.” The degree of discipline lies on the disciplinarian. I also stated I am not defending this lady because I do not know her, nor the kids. As for raising my child right, that is not a concern of mine for several reasons. I liked to believe I turned out to be a pretty fine young men thanks to the raising of (mostly) my mother, grandmother, my father, and other positive role models. My son is fortunate to have both parents in his life who have walked that road. Not saying he will be the best citizen or that we were. Lastly, I have no need to fix my public behvior. Not quite sure what you meant by that statement. I hvae no problem whooping my child in public but I am not going to crazy as if he was a teenager or an adult, nor do I do it out anger. That was good information I learned from someone who wentto parenting classes or a psychatrist. I learned that years before I ever though about haing kids and I apply it now.

    • First of all the women was kicking the 2 yr old theres a diference on whooping or spaking your child dont go and attack the child like hes an adult go and whoop someone your size let them throw her ass in jail with women way bigger than her n let them kick her ass and see how she likes it stupid b***h..

    • you are a complete [removed]….. discipline to your child is no comparison to a person resisting arrest to the police. What are you gonna do? taser your child? get real. and you absolutely played the race card. I am a firm beliver that if you spare the rod, you spoil the child, but also you should never discipline a child when you are angry. It sounds like you need a visit from DPSS.

      • @anthony,
        the moral of that scanrio was: “you disobey, you get disciplined” and whether or not the race card was pulled or not is a matter of interpretation so I’ll leave that alone becuase its minor. “It sounds like you need a visit from the DPSS.” Really, you gathered that from my little message? That is funny. DPSS would actually be upset if they came to my house. It would have been a waste of time and energy because they would leave the same way they came, WITH NOTHING! Have a good day, Anthony.. xoxo

    • It is NEVER “necessary” to hit a child with a belt. NEVER. You are uneducated and ignorant and should not be a parent, ever. Period. Full stop.

      • @adale,

        Says who? I had beltssssss used on me as a child growing up. I am uneducated AND ignorant AND should not be a parent? You sure I am not ignorant because I am uneducated? (that is rhetorical). My you are so QUICK to judge simply because I agree with using a belt! I never said this lady was right, I am not defending/judging her or her actions because I do not konw the complete story. Side note, I know you did not mean those not-so-mean things you said about me in your second sentence! Sounds like you got belts used on you as well, just NOT out of love! Sorry! Oh, I just turned into you…tsk tsk tsk.. Love you!! xoxo

    • Excuse me, guardian angel (a misnomer if I ever heard one), the child was “airlifted” to a hospital. Do you think that is something done routinely? NO. The child was “a little bit woozy and unresponsive.” They wanted to make sure he was okay. How in the world can you think this is all right or even look at this situation with no concern at all for the child? Instead, your worry is about whether you’ll be able to “whoop” your son when he’s older without getting arrested. Your priorities are misplaced.

  5. @Tatiana, what is your crazy obsession with defending this lady?? The truly best thing we can do is to educate parents. She won’t get anything near justice so if don’t teaching our parents better, this will continue

  6. Need a licence/permit to fish, hunt, drive, buy a handgun, add a room to your house or run a business but the most important thing we can do in life, be a parent, is something anyone is allowed to do until its proven that they can’t, and by then the damage is done. Perhaps all humans should be sterilized at birth and to become un-sterilized you need to prove you have the income/skills/patience/desire to become a parent.

  7. @Tatiana you are full of crap and I can prove it. Tell me why Michelle Fletcher has her oldest child in the foster care system???????? This boy was sick-he couldn’t cry. He couldn’t walk. Why wasn’t that dad carrying him? Why didn’t they call 911 and get help for him since he couldn’t walk. I saw the interview. The dad said he was there with them walking. Why didn’t the dad keep Michelle from trying to kill this kid? If you lived near them than you must be deaf and dumb because a monster doesn’t just “one day…out in public” begin to torture a child. She didn’t raise this child and you know that as well as I do.

    • at sad were you there did you see her because I was out there on the street and I had just walked past her and I didn’t see her hit North keep that check out or ditch I was not crying or nothing was wrong with that child dpss services like messing with her so before you comment on [removed] u don’t know get some facts about someone don’t speak up on it If you don’t know her period

      • Well, Tatiana, you were not there either. In your own comments you say that you passed her by approx. 15 minutes prior to this event occurring. DPSS services has their hands full, they don’t need to pick on people for entertainment.

      • Tatiana, you obviously don’t know this woman very well either, because you are all over this comment section spreading lies about the incident and the child.

        To all those reading Tatiana’s comments, please get your information from a more reliable source.

  9. Just heard more info…. Kid had patches of hair missing from being pulled out. Witnesses say he was being dragged down the street with the belt around his neck….

  10. What is wrong with these judges ? Do we have to have another “Gabriel”?
    And thank you to the bystander for doing the right thing.

  12. Thank you to the bystander for getting involved!! All too often people dont want to get involved. They say/think it is none of my business. But that isnt true it is everybody’s business when a child/or anyone is being mistreated! This story could have turned out to have a very different ending hadnt they gotten involved. Again THANK YOU!!!

    • you should really Google a person and look at the background before you get on here and say rude comments about someone you have never even met or seen I know this woman well she loves kids and is pregnant now

          • It has to say ALLEGEDLY to avoid lawsuit, SMH.. IGNORANT, that the world of innocent UNTIL proven guilty. Of there wasn’t SOMETHING wrong with that baby they wouldn’t have FLOWN him to children’s hospital.

          • @Tatiana….A passerby called it in and several witnesses confirmed the action. This word allegedly is that she has not been convicted in a court of law but needless to say, even hearing or reading some of the details of this event it sure does look like abuse.

      • So do you deny that she beat a child? Not only was there at least 1 witness, but the child was hurt.

        Just because she loves kids doesn’t meant that she doesn’t have anger management issues.

        • the child has been taken from his mother’s custody since he was a baby and comes on weekly visits to the residents and he has autism and they’re trying to work on getting help for him so why would she beat him

          • @Tatiana…’why would she beat him’…why does anyone beat a child. He was not doing what she wanted or needed him to do and she obviously has some poor coping/parenting skills if she treats him like that. According to the child’s father his son was dehydrated, that they were alking for a long time, and he couldn’t rest. Although I do believe that children absolutely can test a parent’s patience they could have opted to duck into a restaurant for the air conditioning and ask for a courtesy water for the boy. 1:00 PM in Palmdale this past Friday must have been very hot and according to the child’s father they were walking for a long time.

          • Disabled children are at higher risk for abuse because the stress involved raising them. Autistic children especially because their behavior can be very erratic and difficult to deal with.

          • Bull crap, Tatiana! Who’s spreading lies now! This child does not have autism, and does perfectly fine when properly taken care if. I don’t know how you know these people, but you are the one spreading lies and false information about this case. I can contact MANY people right now who personally know this child and they will back me up on this.

            I do not want to say too much and jeopardize the investigation or any part of this child’s case, but I thank God that someone reported this when they did!

          • @Cares for kids too.. That sounds like the abuse has been ON GOING. .So my question would be to you, WHY DIDN’T YOU REPORT IT??

        • Why couldnt she beat someone else as big as her is she scared or wht? She beat a 2 year old that cant even defend his self! Thats so sad!

          • something like that was to happen it would be sad but me knowing this lady me my csr was in the shop so i walk pass her friday and stood on the street talking with her because my car was in the shop so I was walking that day I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary with her or no belt around and he childs neck and that was at 12:40-1

      • Yes, she loves them so much she beats them … a butt whopping and a beating are two different things.

        If he child was “woozy” and “unresponsive”, there IS a problem. You do not beat the crap out of a child, if you love them.

        I pity her child and the one she is carrying now.

      • Tati….must assume by your post that you also have no parenting skills. This IS NOT love! The bit#! beat her child and did it in public, which means the torture beatings are probably saved for home behind closed doors. Yeeaa! pregnant again….keep those checks coming!

        • first of all you don’t know me so you don’t know what type of parent I am you just getting on internet and talking s*** you’re not no type of parent if ur a parents sitting in front of a computer wasting your time on other peoples parenting skills

          • Wow really tatiana your gonna stick up for a lady like that? Tell me what kind of parenting skills do you both have?? Whether the kid was being bad or not you shouldnt beat a child!! @Quigley. Lmfao keep those checks coming your dam right about that. She shouldnt even be pregnant if she could barely deal with 2 and on top of that the child she beat aint even her child! I bet she wouldnt like it if some other lady were to beat her child.

          • Hmmmm Tati….did you actually read your post? Have you ever heard the phrase “practice what you preach”? One more thing….I would bet at least one of the several people who witnessed this child abuse filmed it with their cell phone….it’s called busted!

      • she doesn’t need to pregnant hopefully she will be watched when the child is born or taken. she does she need to be around anyone s children she just need to be alone away from children

      • People who love children don’t hit them. If HITTING a child is the only way you can come up with to get your kid to listen to you, you shouldn’t be a parent. Period. I hope to all hell that you are wrong about her being pregnant. No child deserve to be stuck with a monster for a parent.

  15. I am so sick of these people, and by that I mean hateful and abusive! I can’t even comprehend why someone could and would beat a child so small and defenseless. It saddens me to the core, because I am a preschool teacher and every one of these children are precious. They are learning and don’t understand what they are doing most of the time unless you teach them. What kind of sick person does this? Forget arresting her, forget putting her in jail where my tax money is paying for her “3 hots and a cot.” Send the bitch my way, she won’t ever hit another child, TRUST ME!

    • How does one start out a paragraph shooting rainbows out their butt by saying preschool children are so precious and then end the paragraph threatening another human being with a fate worse than jail. This is why we have violence in our society. People please think about your words and your actions or you will end up like Michelle Fletcher.

      • She’s pissed; give her a break, a lot of people are upset by this story. There really is no excuse for this woman’s behavior and is so young; with the right nurturing parenting he can grow up to be a well balanced, loving, and compassionate human being. With treatment like this, not so likely.

  17. That woman needs to be imprisoned for that what she has done n contemplate these consequences seriously. No she shouldnt get her child back well not now for that matter. She should go through a whole number of tests to deem worthy. However her boyfriend should file charges to teach a lesson n kick her to the curb! She should be given one chance n one chance only. Fail n its all over for ya lady. My prayers n heart goes out to them beautiful angels! Having children is an honor a privilege from heaven some women dont deserve to bare any!

    • One chance and one chance only? ? Seriously giving birth was her chance! ! IF she regains custody the NEXT “chance” very well could end in MURDER.. Take her child away and give that deserving baby to a family that WANTS children.

      • @NoMoreChances….when I think of this situation I don’t think of murder but I do think of a child that will grow up with emotional scars and use physical aggression when he too becomes frustrated. And the cycle repeats itself.

      • Yeah,what was it he said,the kid was dehydrated and not moving fast enough ? Couple of bottom feeders for sure.

        • If it was hot and he was dehydrated then that is a reason to go inside for a few minutes to get into some air conditioning, rest, and rehydrate. A lot of restaurants will provide a courtesy water. Also babies and small children become dehydrated faster because there is more body surface area in ratio of fluid volume.

  18. Poor babies. I hope she doesnt get a second chance, she doesnt deserve to be a mother to any child. She deserves to rot in jail.

  19. Good i hope she gets whats its coming to her. how can you hit a child with a belt A TWO YEAR OLD CHILD!! SMH

  20. So the “NEW” baby momma beat the “old” baby mommas baby. .. DIRTY B***H. And that’s EXACTLY why my kids couldn’t go to their fathers house after we broke up, cuz his OTHER baby momma is crazy and I would have to reach out and touch her if she even passed the thought though her shallow mind. LOCK HER UP, THEIR AWAY THE KEY! !

  21. Thank God someone cared enough to report this crime against a child. More people need to do this! Perhaps if more people report abuse it may be less of an issue. I hope that DCFS really looks into this family and make a decision based on what is best for the health of the children.

  22. well now i dont think that has anything to do with being black she straight beat that baby in public regardless shes a piece of crap for doing that thats sad and pathetic a two year old … and shes supposedly not the mother of that child even worse females need to stop poppin out babys they cant handle the right way .. i hope that baby will be ok and be with someone who will guide and teach him and protect him love him he is gods lil angle not some punching bag God Bless that baby

  23. She should be locked up and these babies should not be returned to her!!! I don’t care what color she is… Wrong is wrong!!! These babies don’t deserve that. But, seeing how I system worked they will be returned to this crazy family and be raised to act just like them. My heart breaks for those babies! Thank goodness for the person who called the sheriff! Pray for those babies.

  24. And this Michelle Fletcher IS NOT THE MOTHER!!! She’s the “baby daddy’s” girlfriend..

  25. Yeah… maybe the judge who sent this child home… LAST WEEK, AGAINST THE ADVICE OF THE DCFS/CSW should be arrested also!!!! I’m so angry right now

    • Put this judge into the same room with this woman. Someone name the name of this judge that is just as responsible. This judge needs to be held accountable!

    • Where did u hear that information about the child being sent home against the advice of DCFS?? I keep hearing rumors don’t know what to believe.