Broward Mother Accused Of Beating Son With Fists, Broom For Not Stealing Food
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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – A 32-year-old North Lauderdale mother of four children with a history of documented child abuse and domestic violence is charged with abusing her 13-year-old son after he failed to steal food from stores for her.
Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Gina Carter told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that detectives discovered that the youngster had been abused since the age of four. They added the 180-pound mother, Marlina Shellman, recently beat him with her hands, fists and a broom when he failed to steal food for her.
Carter said detectives found the child had more than 25 marks and bruises all over his body that were "old and new."
BSO said the mother had been the target of 28 child protective investigative reports in the past for domestic violence and child abuse listing her as the caregiver of her children. BSO said 17 reports were closed as verified for abuse. And investigators removed children from her home in 2007 and 2011.
Now BSO says all of her children have been removed from her home for a third time.
The mother went before Broward Judge John Hurley in bond court, charged with aggravated child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Judge Hurley disclosed some disturbing details when he read the affidavit for the arrest of Shellman.
"It says there was abuse of a 13-year-old male with fists, a broom and hands. He had numerous marks and bruises and she sent the child to the store to steal," Hurley read.
Carter said Shellman sent her son to go out to stores like Walmart and Walgreens. If he came back with no food, that would trigger a beating.
"She was forcing the child to go out and steal food," said Carter. "If the child came back with no food that would trigger a physical abuse incident. She would beat the child with her hands, her fists, a broom or other objects. The child was examined and found to have new and old bruises and scars throughout his body.
"This is an alarming case," she added. "This poor child was the victim of abuse over several years. It seemed to the detectives that he was the target of the family and he reaped most of the abuse."
Judge Hurley noted that Shellman had a criminal records and ordered that she be held on $3,500 bond.
BSO said Shellman had been arrested before for grand theft, domestic violence, battery, resisting arrest without violence and driving with a suspended license.
In court, no family members or friends stepped forward on her behalf.
BSO said her 13-year-old son was placed with relatives when the investigation started in mid-March. BSO said the children's father was in jail in Georgia.
Judge Hurley also said Shellman should have limited contacted with the 13-year-old victim and noted that a Judge in family court would ultimately determine what Shellman would be allowed to do in regard to her children.
Shellman's neighbors said she had lived in her Townhouse for the past two years. They did not want to say anything about her or the charges against her.
