A Cop With A Good Heart Steps In To Help A Hungry Child When He Tries To Sell His Teddy Bear For Food

Sep 09, 2019 by apost team

Steve Dunham, an officer of the Franklin County police department responded to an odd call on August 11, 2016. A young boy had been spotted roaming around unsupervised. Officer Dunham encountered the 7-year-old boy outside of a local CVS pharmacy attempting to sell his teddy bear for something to eat. The child explained to the officer that it had been a few days since he had a meal.

While Officer Dunham took the child to grab a bite at a nearby Subway, the Franklin Police Department (FPD) sent officers out to the boy's home to look into the matter. The FPD found 4 more children that were older than the 7-year-old, according to CNN.

They were found living in unsanitary and unhealthy conditions, without anything edible to be found anywhere in the home. The 7-year-old explained that he had been trying to get food for himself and his siblings by selling his teddy bear.

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The children were immediately removed from the home. Living arrangements were made with extended family members. Michael and Tammi Bethel, the parents, were apprehended and indicted for 5 charges of child endangerment.

The mother's defense was that when the FPD dropped in she hadn't had the opportunity to tidy up. Mr. and Mrs. Bethel stated that they suffer from medical conditions that limit their ability to effectively clean their home and care for the children.

They submitted a guilty plea for 2 out of the 5 charges of child endangerment. They were both given a double sentence of 360 days in prison. The father was later given 3 years of probation to substitute for the second half of his sentence.

The mother pleaded with the judge to allow the children to return home after her sentence was completed. She declared her undying love for her kids and claimed she would do whatever it took to get her children back.

Judge Rupert Ruppert explained that her love was not in doubt, but her ability to take good care of her children was in question. Mrs. Bethel got sick after her indictment and was taken to the local hospital by an ambulance, according to KDVR.

During sentencing, Judge Ruppert explained to the father that the benefit of doubt could not be afforded in a situation where the children have been removed from their home 7 times within the last decade.

“If this were your first time these children had been taken out of your home, I would probably be a little more understanding, but it’s not the first time the children were removed, not the second, not the third, not the fourth, it’s not even the fifth or sixth time your children have been removed from your care or your wife’s care," the Judge told Bethel, according to Dayton 24/7 Now.

The parents were indicted during October of 2016. They have both completed their sentences but it has not been confirmed if they currently have custody of the children. 

Officer Dunham was there when help was needed and he made sure these little kids didn't have to live in these horrible conditions any longer. Have you ever been in a situation when a cop was right there when he was needed most? Let us know in the comments and make sure your friends and family know about this story.