Mom Defends Posting Photo of Toddler With Down's Syndrome In Washing Machine: 'We Took a Picture & It Was a Laugh'

An act ceases to be a pure fun when at least one is hurt or bullied.

This was the case of a mother, who put a two-and-a-half child with Down Syndrome under her care in a washing machine. She then photographed the child and posted it in Facebook. She said that the child loved the washing machine and so she gave him what he wanted just for fun. However, the people who saw the photographed did not agree, they believe the act was horrible.

Courtney Stewart, 21, a mother herself, was the child's attendant at that time. She said that the boy, who was small for his age, climbed into the machine on his own accord. "He's got a bit of a washing obsession. Anyone who knows him would know he's got a washing obsession," Stewart told Daily Record.

"He loves the washing machine. We took a picture and it was a laugh," Stewart said.  She also made it clear that the boy himself was having fun, "He is clearly laughing in the pictures." This confused Stewart why people who saw the photo find it horrible and even reported her to the police.

She said maybe people thought she put the child in the machine for a spin, but it was not the real story. She did not know who reported the incident but find it such act ridiculous.

She also stressed that there was no way for the child to get harmed because the machine was unplugged, according to FOX 8. She was no longer using it because she was getting a new one. Besides, the door was not fully closed. Daily Record also notes that there was a hand holding the washing machine's door to keep it close.

However, no matter how the 21-year-old mother reasoned out, she stirred shock and anger among netizens who saw the photo.

One commented, "For anyone, let alone someone who is also a parent, to take a picture like that and stick it on Facebook for a laugh is unbelievable." One woman even called her a scumbag and a nutter. Another concern citizen who contacted the police said that the photo was "terrible to look at," Daily Record has learned.

The outrage of Stewart's neighborhood did not end with the report to the police. Stewart admitted that she was attacked at her own home. One woman knocked at her door and beat her while telling her she would never allow Stewart to get near her kids. The unknown 42-year-old woman was arrested on assault charges, according to Daily News.

A spokesman of Renfrewshire Council revealed to Daily Record that they cannot comment on individuals, but they are vigilant on issues that threaten a child's safety.