Alabama mom allegedly used bear spray to punish kids for being unruly
04/09/2026 8:06 pm PDT
LEEDS, Ala. (TCN) -- A mother has been arrested and charged following an accusation that she punished her children with bear spray.
On March 8, police were called with reports of a child running down the street yelling for help, WBRC reports. Responding officers noted the child had a puffy face and reddened eyes. Authorities went to the child’s house and made contact with another child as well. AL.com reports the children told the police their mother had used bug spray on them. A search warrant was executed, and bear spray was found in the home.
Authorities took them to a children’s hospital to be evaluated, WBRC reports. During a later interview, one of the children again alleged they had been sprayed in the eyes and nose. Detectives received a warrant to arrest 36-year-old Christie Lashay Williams for child torture on April 2.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, bear spray is a pesticide more potent than pepper spray. US Weekly reports that according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, bear spray should be treated like a firearm and can cause breathing problems and permanent eye damage.
Williams had allegedly told police the children were being unruly, AL.com reports.
Williams was arrested and bonded out of jail on April 6, WBRC reports. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison. AL.com reports that both children are now in the custody of the Alabama Department of Human Resources.
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