By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
LEEDS, AL — A 37-year-old Alabama mother faces felony child abuse charges after police say she sprayed her two young children with bear spray inside their home, sending both to the hospital with injuries including swollen face and irritated eyes.
Leeds Police Department officers responded to a residential area on March 8 following a 911 call reporting a small child running down a street calling for help. The caller described observing the child with facial swelling and red, irritated eyes.
Upon arrival, officers located both children and conducted interviews regarding the incident. According to authorities, both children told police their mother, Christie Lashay Williams, sprayed them with bear spray. One child reported the spray struck both eyes and the mouth directly.
Emergency medical personnel transported both children to Children’s Hospital for treatment. Hospital officials have not released updates on the children’s current medical condition or recovery status.
Williams was arrested Monday and charged with one count of child abuse or torture, classified as a Class C felony under Alabama law. The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison. She subsequently posted bond and was released from Jefferson County Jail.
The Environmental Protection Agency classifies bear spray as a pesticide designed for wildlife deterrence. The substance releases a wide dispersal cloud capable of traveling up to 40 feet and contains stronger concentrations of active ingredients than standard pepper spray formulations, making it significantly more dangerous when used against humans, particularly children.