By Amy Joles
(Contact / Staff Bio)
Originally published March 5, 2009, 04:01 p.m. EST. Updated March 9, 2009, 02:11 p.m. EST
Should a police officer be called to a home when a young child (under 12) is not behaving properly?
CARO — A Michigan State Police Trooper now finds himself on the other side of the law.
On Thursday, Trooper Patrick L. Sharkey, 56, of Bridgeport appeared in front of Tuscola County District Court Judge Kim D. Glaspie on charges that he struck an 8-year-old boy with a belt while on duty. Sharkey was responding to an incident in Ellington Township on Nov. 12, 2008 when the assault allegedly occurred.
Sharkey now faces one charge of common law offenses (misconduct in office) and one charge of assault and battery.
The misconduct charge is a felony that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Assault and battery is a misdemeanor punishable by 93 days and/or $500 fine.
“The charges are the result of arrest warrants issued by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office following an internal investigation conducted by the MSP,” according to an official statement from the state police.
Phone calls from the Advertiser to the Michigan Attorney General’s office were not returned as of press time.
Sharkey was suspended from duty pending disposition of the criminal offenses and MSP administrative proceedings. A personal recognizance bond was set at $25,000.
Sharkey is set for a pretrial in Tuscola County District Court on March 16 at 1 p.m. and a preliminary exam on April 3 at 8:30 a.m.
In May 2008, Sharkey was injured in a car crash while responding to an emergency situation. Sharkey has worked as a MSP Trooper for 25 years. He has worked at the Caro Post for about four years now.
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March 6, 2009
2:11 a.m.Report inappropriate content
What your telling me is a Michigan State Trooper of many years of service, that I know for a fact well go to the end of the earth for anyone is being nailed to the wall on a issue, where a parent of an 8 year old can not control there child and have to call out the State Police, I think I can pick out the problem. Myself and the other 99.9% of local residents that have been protected by this Michigan State Trooper Thank you and Support you
March 6, 2009
7:22 a.m.Report inappropriate content
This is a smear attack of a good officer!! The lying parents of this out-of-control child are looking for $$$$$$ from the state and that is all this is.
March 6, 2009
9:56 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Lets see here, the mother had to call the State Police because she couldn't control her son. The officer arrives and was asked to help. My guess is that the officer said he needs a good spanking and the mother gave him or ask him if he would do this as she was not capable of it. "apparently, because she called in the first place."
Where is the father during this? Working or is he even around to raise the child?
Seems to me that the spanking, "which is not child abuse," would of done the kid some good. Now this kid grows up thinking that the police can't even touch him and as he gets older we'll see that we haven't heard the last of him. He'll grow up living what he knows and looks to me this is a money deal.
Good luck to this officer and I hope all works out the correct way, as it should.
March 6, 2009
9:38 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I also know the trooper involved in this dispicable crime. He is mentally unfit to be a police officer and is a disgrace to the uniform. I hope he spends the next 5 years in prison where he belongs. I know him to be a liar and a danger to the citizens of Michigan. I also watched a hearing where this officer drew his revolver on an 18 yr old kid and charged him with a felony for carrying a concealed weapon. The kid had a 3 inch jack knife in the councel of his car. The charges were thown out because the search of his car was an illegal search. The trooper belongs in prison.
March 6, 2009
10:53 p.m.Report inappropriate content
i sure would like to hear the rest of the story on this one, i was wondering if it was his child or did this happen on a call, if it happened on a call i would be willing to bet the mother asked him to do it, i can't see a trooper putting his career on the line and spanking an 8 year old, and by the way spanking the last i knew wasn't an offense in any book or every parent i know including myself would be behind bars. someone please flesh out this story.
March 7, 2009
8:01 a.m.Report inappropriate content
This was not a spanking, it was a beating. It doesn't matter if the mother asked him to beat her child or not. It is a crime. If the child would have been a little older the trooper would have called in back up and they would have beat him senseless with clubs instead of a belt and charged him with assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. That is how corrupt police officers operate in this country. The man is a threat to the citizens of Michigan. He should be sent to prison so that the next cop that decides to act like a criminal might think twice about beating an innocent person, especially a child. The man is a coward and a child beater. We need to protect our children from thugs like this, get him off the streets and send him to prison where he belongs.
March 7, 2009
10:02 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I too know this officer. When he questioned me, he walked right in the house. I told him I did not give him permission to enter. He said he could enter if he wanted too. He needs to be taken of the streets. If I remember right, this is the same officer that gave Judge Joslyn a ride home after not passing the breath test one night. Anyone else he would of taken to jail. Now he stands before this Judge, it will be interesting what will happen. I am still glad I have pictures of this incident.
March 7, 2009
12:13 p.m.Report inappropriate content
"In May of 2008, Sharkey was injured in a car crash while responding to an emergency situation." Did I miss something here? What does this have to do with the story? I was injured in a car crash at one time also; does that put me above the law?
March 7, 2009
1:59 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I agree with northendlou. There are an awful lot of good police officers and this officer is an exception to that. Power and authority effects people differently. We should not condemn all police officers because of one bad apple like Officer Sharkey.
March 7, 2009
4:42 p.m.Report inappropriate content
He beat the 8 yr old kid with a belt...DUH...you're a police officer, you are supposed to be setting an example for our children!!!
March 9, 2009
8:14 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I think that this is getting blowing way out of the sky. The mom of the 8 year old boty is a hard working person that would do anything for her childern. So before everyone goes and "assume things" you should look at the side of the parent.
March 10, 2009
7:53 a.m.Report inappropriate content
To traceyz and everyone else,
Your comment answers a question I had on my previous post. Where is the father? There is not one living at home?
Either deceased or seperated or divorce?
No one has attacked the mother but have with the officer.
Looking at the parent side of this, don't forget that she called the MSP because she could NOT handle this child's behaivor. This is not an assumption but fact. "She would do anything for her children?" Maybe she does too much and should say no once in a while. For a kid to act so bad that she needed to call the police, there is something wrong with this picture. What bothers me about this whole mess is that she must have gave the officer permission to spank the boy but why now is she pressing charges?
Don't get me wrong, Mr. Starkey did a stupid thing by abliging her but again, spanking is not a beating or child abuse. When I was in school a teacher would paddle a misbehaived child and was never sent to prison for 5 years or suspended without pay. This is far worse than a belt across the butt and it always did the kid some good.
A comment on another post about giving Judge Joslyn a ride home. I believe Mr. Starkey was not even here when that accured.
March 10, 2009
11:18 a.m.Report inappropriate content
This paper has stated facts, which I applaud. The comments here, which are varied, seem to be running amuck with opinions. It’s a free country and all. Some of you are supportive, others sound downright revengeful. What something is classified as isn’t necessarily what it is. I’m with you mollyrambo57. This whole incident is bringing up more thought provoking questions than answers. My opinion :) I will play devils advocate here and ask some that are on my mind.
Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Were any of you there? I wasn't, but would need to know more to make a judgment. So I'm not judging anyone, just voicing my opinions and questions...
Some good points were made here in the comments. Look for facts people.
The officer made a bad call in spanking a child.
The parent made a bad call in the first place.
Has anyone questioned the mothers’ ability to care for her child if she LET her child get spanked? Especially if she didn’t condone it?
Call the police on an 8-year-old child?
Please! Does she set no boundaries for him?
Then just stand by and watch the child be spanked?
I think not! Unless she GAVE permission.
I wouldn’t let ANYONE hurt my child and stand back and watch! I would step between and stop it! I have before and would again!
If a mom can’t control her child, where's the dad? Why wasn’t HE called? That would be my first choice.
When did the police become the answer to a parenting problem? Truth be told, that's what this was. A parenting problem.
Northendlou, you bring up questions too. You state that you were a Trooper. You were also a human being, I hope. :) Have you never done anything stupid? I have. Are you so pure that you feel you can throw the first stone? Do you know more about this case than is available for the public or are you just harshly judging a fellow officer? Way to support a brother! Most officers I know stand behind or beside, not on top of each other.
This officer has made a good impression in the community in his years of service here. Yes, it sounds like some of you may have personal problems with the law in general, but for others, Trooper Sharkey has done his job, and done it well. Many local people came together to pray for him while he recovered from his on-duty accident in May 2008, perhaps radientred, that was why the reporter mentioned it. This is another time when prayer is called for. For everyone involved.
Psbacker, you state that the parents are looking to get $$$$$ from the state. That’s a possibility. What else would they gain from this? I agree with jet, the officer looks to have the most to lose, as does the child, who has no sense of self-control or respect for authority, namely his parents’ authority over him.
Praying for all involved.
March 10, 2009
11:36 a.m.Report inappropriate content
To traceyz, I understand how hard it is to raise children, especially boys! As a single parent, I've raised two and thankfully they’ve survived to see their 18th and 20th birthdays. One was very troubled from a young age and gave a lot of grief, but I've never doubted the benefit of a timeout or a spanking as discipline. Spanking is not beating no matter what your kids say! There is a difference. Kids today feel that they are above any type of authority and parents are afraid to discipline. I have taught my kids self-discipline, because if they cannot discipline them selves, others will discipline them. That is always the choice, even into adulthood. Take care.
March 10, 2009
6:42 p.m.Report inappropriate content
It does not matter where the father is. The mother is doing a fine job raisng her children on her own and holding down a full time job. The child is not out of control he has a disability and takes medicine just because of that it doesnt mean he is out of control or deserves to be struck with a belt. I also know the mother would not have give permission for that to happen he is only eight years old. I have an eight year old boy and he dosent do anything to deserve what happend to that little boy. Before you go trying to clean someones back porch clean your own first. Police are suppose to be there to help some out not take matters in their own hands it was not his child and like i said he was only eight he did not deserve that.
March 10, 2009
7:13 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Let’s review the facts: Mom can’t control child. Mom takes child to psychiatrist who prescribes medication that is not safe for children and has significant side effects. Child is now out of control (could it be the meds?). Mom calls 911. Officer responds. Officer hits the child with a belt (I’m going to assume it wasn’t his own or the article would have stated). Mom does not stop the so called “assault and battery”. She does not call the police. She does not take the child to the hospital afterwards (again, an assumption for the same reason). This does not have a feel of full truth here folks.
Michigan law section 750.136b allows for spanking by “a child's parent or guardian or any other person who cares for, has custody of, or has authority over a child regardless of the length of time that a child is cared for, in the custody of, or subject to the authority of that person”. An assault is an “unlawful attempt or offer with force or violence to do a corporal hurt to another….." and battery is the actual infliction of injury. If the mom authorized the officer to spank her child, the act was not “unlawful”.
Okay – I have it now. Mom asked for assistance. Mom gave permission for the spanking. Mom is satisfied. Mom told her friends/family what occurred. Her friends/family are horrified. Mom instead of admitting the truth, changes her story so that others would not think bad of her. Friends/family suggest criminal action and lawsuits. Mom agrees (she can’t change her story now, can she?) This sounds more like a realistic scenario.
Unfortunately, a lot of lives will be harmed by the lack of truth. Bad choices by all, but not illegal.
Better choice - get the kid off meds, get the parent training in parenting, reward positive behavior, discipline negative behavior, no calls to 911 and a family that will not see their child in the juvenile justice system.
March 11, 2009
9:30 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I think ropeclimber may be on to something here.
She called for police assis. for a child that is not out of control? That does not make sense.
Why are we always putting kids on meds to solve a problem.
Sometimes it's warrent but I feel it's used more often than needed. I'm not suggesting one way or another one this child. Just my thoughts.
A polygraph test may be in order here for all parties concerned.
March 11, 2009
11:14 a.m.Report inappropriate content
A whole bunch of the officers need to be looked at. We do have some good officers and we have alot of idiots and lazy people that can't make a rational call unless someone is holding their hand! And then they can screw it up. If you report bad behavior by officers,,,,then they hound you until they can get even with you.
March 11, 2009
11:13 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Sherbear - not sure where you are going with your post. Who did you report and why are you paranoid?
March 11, 2009
11:19 p.m.Report inappropriate content
woodb55 - Seems that you are certainly holding a grudge against this officer. "Liar, danger, and mentally unfit"? Seems that you are doing a smear job here, thinking that your unsubstantiated comments would influence people. It's not.
March 11, 2009
11:23 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Jet - while polygraphs are not normally used - it would be a great start to getting to the real truth! Good suggestion and it would be interesting to see the results. Wonder if all parties would agree?
March 12, 2009
1:27 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I don't understand how you people can draw such conclusions based on this news article. The warrant was issued by the Attorney Generals Office. They wouldn't just take a phone call and issue a warrant without investigating the complaint. Obviously there is something there. He knows the law and it doesn't allow for physically striking an eight year old in any manner. There are alot of questions that weren't answered in this article, so defending Trooper Sharkey at this point is pretty lame. The only thing that matters is, did the Trooper strike an eight year old child with a belt as the article suggests. If he did, then he there is no defending his actions.
March 12, 2009
7:11 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Vito - I appreciate your comment. Michigan law does allow for physically stricking an eight year old as per the following:
Michigan law section 750.136b allows for spanking by “a child's parent or guardian or any other person who cares for, has custody of, or has authority over a child regardless of the length of time that a child is cared for, in the custody of, or subject to the authority of that person”. An assault is an “unlawful attempt or offer with force or violence to do a corporal hurt to another….." and battery is the actual infliction of injury. If the mom authorized the officer to spank her child, the act was not “unlawful”.
So you see - we are discussing the fact that parental permission may have been given to the officer. As you stated - the facts are limited within this news article and others like it. But in my humble opinion - there is less information about the mother's actions when this all occurred - such as, did she call the police or take the child to the hospital immediately after it happened? If there was no consent on her part - why was there a 5 mos. delay from the date of the incident to the arrest?
In regards to your statement about the warrant coming from the AG's Office - I'm positive they have done the preliminary investigation in order to issue the arrest warrant. However - how strong is the evidence to support this criminal action and how strong is the polictical pressure that this office is under?
March 12, 2009
11:13 a.m.Report inappropriate content
as grandparent of a 17yr old boy who is adhd and bipolar, i have seen the struggle my single daughter has had in raising her son along with 3 other siblings. without the meds, which she tried for several yrs without avail, the boy was a danger to himself and his family. don't judge decisions based on a newspaper article. we don't know the story, only what the newspaper wants us to know. as far as the officer in question, i don't know him or his character. i don't believe he acted in good faith. 'if' he were asked to spank the child, he should have made a professional decision based on his training and status. i would love to see the police report on this one!
March 12, 2009
6:01 p.m.(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
March 12, 2009
9:57 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Spartyfun72 - I'm guessing you are much closer to the family on this as you have information that was not posted in the newspaper. You stated the young child was taken to the ER and she filed a report the next day. Just out of curiousity - can you tell us why she delayed a day before seeking medical attention and filing a police report?
As a mother myself - I would have stopped the action of the officer when it was occurring - calling for police assistance at that time if I felt a criminal action was taking place. Additionally, I would have immediately sought medical attention so that everything was well documented and photographed. And filed the same day - within hours of the event. I guess this is where I am going - if it wasn't condoned by the mother at the time, why did she not do something to stop the actions occurring?
Any insight would be helpful for all of us to understand.
March 13, 2009
7:29 a.m.Report inappropriate content
ropeclimber.....thanks for citing the law for me...but again I point out that the Attorney Generals Office investigated this and if permission had been given by the mother they would have found this out in their investigation. Since the article never mentioned any permission given I think you are confusing the whole issue by your speculation of how YOU think things happened. Since you were not there and you have no more information than the rest of us that read the article, it really is meaningless for you to point out how you would have handled the situation. Certainly seeking medical attention the following day and reporting it the following day is not unreasonable. Bruises are best photographed the day after the assault of even two days later so there wasn't any rush. She called the police for help and this was the result. I would imagine calling the police again would not have been high on her list of wise decisions immediately after what had just transpired. I also question your statement that the mother should have done something to stop the assault. What would you suggest? As I understand the information she called for help because she couldn't handle the eight year old. So you think she would have had better luck against a Michigan State Trooper?
March 13, 2009
9:34 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Vito - you may be right - I may be confusing the whole thing. But I do know how I would have handled this - and it would have been to seek medical attention immediately as well as have called for assistance reporting that an officer was "beating" my child. As far as handling the officer - I would have put myself in between the officer and my child - as any mother would do if they felt their child was in danger. However I guess that I would have been wrong based upon your scenerio. How much more important to sit down and watch what was happening and later think about the whole thing and say "Gosh, bruises would show tomorrow - so I'll take him to the ER in the morning".
While I am not condoning that actions of the officer - I just don't think that things are adding up here and I question the actions of the mother and the need for criminal charges against the officer.
March 13, 2009
1:03 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Okay, my turn to put my two cents in! If you spank a child and leave a mark - you are subjecting yourself to some consequences. To do it to someone else's child - you must be STUPID. The fact that this officer is facing a charge of misconduct in office, a felony, leads me to believe he probably did something he shouldn't have. I can tell you from experience that not all cops, no matter their number of years of experience, handle every situation properly. My children's 16 year old cousin was shot and killed by an officer responding to a 911 call from his parents pleading for help in 2000 (Apache Junction, Arizona). He was standing MORE THAN 15 FEET away with a bread knife to HIS OWN wrist threatening to end his OWN LIFE when the officer entered a set of sliding glass doors and shot him THREE times in the chest. In contrast, this spanking incident doesn't sound quite as severe, but I'm just trying to point out that even good parents can find themselves in a hopeless situation with their kids and there are occasions when the authorities should be called in to help. Do not judge this mother on why she called or how come her child was out of control. The mere suggestion that the child was on some sort of medication that would have had to have been prescribed by a doctor shows me that this mother has attempted to HELP her child. While one can argue that behavioral medications are overly prescribed for our children, you can not say that no child needs them.
March 15, 2009
12:55 a.m.Report inappropriate content
read the article ropeclimber......where does it even mention the mother? How can you question her actions when you don't even know if there were any actions by her to question?
Also,spankings, even with a belt are not usually life threatening. I wouldn't think it would be necessary to take a spanked child to the Emergency Room at the hospital. I doubt even your insurance would cover it.
March 15, 2009
9:06 a.m.Report inappropriate content
It's no wonder court rooms have such a difficult time seating juries these days! Look at the conclusions so many of you have come to without a fact or shred of evidence in front of you.
Many have cited "law" to support the officer's actions under the circumstances you believe this to be. (Has anyone considered what MSP policy might be?) Others have already decided this officer should be imprisioned.
In reading some of the posts my mind began realizing that there could be several fantasy/mystery writers among you to have come up with the conclusions you have, and you seem thoroughly convinced that's the way it MUST have happened.
Our court systems rely on "fair and impartial" jurists. That means, among other things, that you haven't publicly stated your one-sided, biased opinions on an Internet forum.
We each have the right to our opinions, but the majority of the posts here would indicate that we have become a society of judgmental folks ready to jump to conclusions. I'm guessing though, that if you are the person being accused of wrong-doing, you'd want a fair judicial process working for you, rather than a jury of your tuscolatoday.com blog cohorts.
March 16, 2009
9:43 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I feel the parent was in the wrong,She calls the Michigan state police because she cant control her 8 yr old because parenting skills isnt her thing as it sounds a officer responds and talks with the child not knowing the mother already beat his butt and still couldnt control him
Officer Sharkey not knowing he was going to be blamed for it all..I have a ADHD child of my own and dont have to call the police in because my child pissed me off and i beat his butt and to send him to school with those bruises the next day "oh call a police officer and blame him"Lady get a grip and tell the truth what really happened..CLEAR SHARKEY you know the money your trying to collect will run out and you will be broke again:::In my option your the one with the problems not your child..The need to did a little deeper on you....
March 16, 2009
9:57 a.m.Report inappropriate content
If Sharkey gets anytime out of this the mother should get the same if she gave him permisson to spank her child..
"IF IT ACTULLY HAPPENED!!
March 16, 2009
10:20 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Maybe she called the police because she was afraid that she might hurt her child. We will just ASSume what happened.
March 16, 2009
1:54 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Ok, so I know this kid and he is way out of control. A real bad kid. He swears and is awful! The nasty mouth you have ever heard. He often beats up on his little brother and sister. I have seen the big red marks on their faces and arms where he hits them with sticks. He also beats up on the mom if she tries to spank him. She tries to use the belt and he will grab it and hit her, even bite. The reason she put him on meds was so she wouldn't have to deal with him. She used cough medicine before and other things to make him sleep. The cop shouldn't probaly spanked him, but if he is a dad too, he problay couldn't believe his eyes. The kid is tough and a whooping wouldn't have made him behave or hurt him. Bad way to live. They don't need to get a lot of money for this. That's not what the family needs. They need someone to straighten the kid out.
March 16, 2009
5:24 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Treebark - Thanks for the insight into the family. This information really allows for us to see what is happening within the household. Obviously the meds aren't working if he's still displaying the same behaviors. The fact that the other children are being abused by this child is discerning and should be addressed through the appropriate social service department.
March 17, 2009
12:05 p.m.Report inappropriate content
"A Tuscola County woman says she called for law enforcement to come to her home and help discipline her son, but complained after Sharkey took the boy's belt and hit the child on his bottom."
This was an excerpt from http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?sectio...
This came out in the hearing yesterday - March 16, 2009
Well - this certainly puts a new light onto our subject matter at hand. Anyone else now wish to throw in their two cents worth in support of this officer?
A plea deal was offered by the state, however it was declined. It was that Sharkey plead to assault & battery and the second charge would be dropped. Hmmmm.... the whole kit and kaboodle needs to be dropped at this point.
March 17, 2009
7:59 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Spartyfun72 - No I'm not the officer's attorney! I applaud her though - this will be a case tried upon politics and public opinion versus law and fact.
I can obviously state with good example the fact that you are a concerned member of the community and friends with the family. Your anger and frustration at what is being said on here is obvious through your posts. As a close friend, could you share with us just what actually did occur? The newspaper reported today that the mother called for assistance to discipline her child as she was unable to do so herself. It must be very trying to be both mother and father to young children - I know, I have been there - and sometimes we need to reach out to others.
I have a concern about the use of psychotropic medications that the youth may be on by prescription. The majority of these drugs have not been tested nor found safe for young children or even teenagers. Many physicians don't warn parents of this.
Our current society is quick to label children. Labels are not always good or exact. Public schools also look to control kids with medication because it reduces the need for them to supervise and re-direct classroom behaviors AND increases their state and federal funding - the get more money for the "exceptional" kids.
This all being said: What can we do, as a community, to assist this mother?
March 17, 2009
10:45 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I will tell you that this trooper has an up hill battle. Amy Grace Giehart is not the best of them, I had her and that was one of the worst mistakes I made in my life. I would never hire her again, or send my worst enemy to her. I still say that where this officer gave this Judge a ride home when he was drunk, will have a huge outcome in this case. To the state trooper { Northendlou} from the north, can you beleive that this goes on in this county. This Judge has been given a ride home about three times, one of times, we have pictures to prove it.
March 18, 2009
7:44 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Nopans123 - This is not the same officer that you are referring to gave a judge a ride home.
March 18, 2009
11:12 a.m.Report inappropriate content
There seems to be more to the story but not covered in the article. The article provides simple general journalistic inquiries making any decisions questionable and requires more investigative reporting.
Assuming the role of the mother, if one of my children was out of control, I would have contacted the father. The last course of action I would take is contacting the police. If you cannot control your children, you should not have children, especially an eight-year-old child. I find this difficult to believe the mother could not control an eight-year-old. Maybe a spanking was way overdue.
The article did not mention the father so you can only assume he is out of the picture. I hope the mother is collecting child support, if not, correct the matter. If the father is in the picture, grow a set, and quite wasting my tax money by having your wife contact the police to discipline your child. Yes, discipline your own child. Man-Up
Frankly, the story sound extremely suspicious and you have to wonder if this is real story or if the hypothetical story below is more accurate:
Mother has had a bad day, for whatever the reason. Maybe she is upset with the father, separated, or divorce and refuses to contact him. The child is being a kid, you can only guess what type of medication the child is taking, or maybe the child did not have the daily meds thus causing the outburst. Now we have a situation, everyone goes through who has children. Bad day, children are acting up, and mother is becoming frustrated. Mother threatens the child to behave or she will call the police. The child calls the mother's bluff.
In an attempt to re-establish the parent/child relationship, the mother contacts the police. The police officer arrives and finds a hysterical mother. Mother pours on the drama; the officer sympathetic asks the mother if she tried disciplining the child. She abhors the idea of spanking her precious child but gives permission for the officer to spank. The officer makes a bad decision; obliges and spanks the child. The mother expresses her gratitude to the officer and this should be the end of the story.
However, the mother talks with family and embellishes on the truth gaining sympathy. Family members express outrage and provide various suggestions of a lawsuit. When faced with a possible windfall stimulus package, story becomes revamped, and now the mother is looking for justice. A civil lawsuit is filed against the state and police. An out of court settlement is offered but is declined. The possibility of a larger settlement exists, so the civil suit is still pursued.
The lesson learned from the story; an officer's career is jeopardized, an eight-year-old lacks respect for authority, and the mother receives taxpayer money to pay for a frivolous lawsuit.
March 18, 2009
3:15 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Go Cynical! This is similar to a scenerio I offered earlier - I'm glad to see I'm not the only one finding "something amiss" in the whole story.
March 18, 2009
10:23 p.m.Report inappropriate content
ropeclimber, I believe that this trooper Sharkey was working out of Bridgeport post and this incident took place in Saginaw County. I know the time you're talking about, which occurred in Tuscola County when Sheriff Kerns was in office. I believe northendlou that some officers do what is correct, but in this county that does not happen. This Judge needs to apologize to all the residents of Tuscola County for driving a vehicle impaired.
March 19, 2009
12:41 p.m.Report inappropriate content
The officer should have contacted the proper behavioral/mental health agency. They have the ability to do this, even after hours. I do not cast blame on the mother for calling the police. She felt the extreme need to do so. The officer made a bad judgement call.
My fear is that this boy will now behave worse, because he will know that he can get away with whatever he wants. We do not know the mental issues with the boy. Some take years to diagnose. If its an anti-personality disorder...I am praying for this mother. In my heart, I feel there was a reason for this mother to call. If this turns into a money-gain later on down the road...shame, shame.
March 19, 2009
11:27 p.m.Report inappropriate content
SHAME IS the word if this family is trying to get free easy money..Do you all seriously think a state officer would risk his job he had for 25 years to spank some 8 year old child??Because his mother couldn't handle him herself...Maybe the child's father should fight for all rights for this child and staighten him out..Maybe he would end up acting like a normal child,by just having a parent being a parent to him..
March 21, 2009
10:14 p.m.Report inappropriate content
A person's character is developed in the first 13 years of their life. If a child is beaten during those years he will grow up to be mean and violent. Beating a child with a belt is wrong even for a parent to do. Beating a child will not teach him anything but violence. This child will more than likely grow up to hate the police because of this beating.
March 21, 2009
10:20 p.m.Report inappropriate content
This situation is very, very sad. An 8 yr old boy who is out of control. There obviously is an underlying reason.
A mother so ditraught she had to call 911!!!
I feel for this child, he is 8 yrs old. Can we all remember when we were 8 yrs old? Where you ever that out of control? I feel a good percentage of us can answer "no"
to this question.
This child needs serious help. The medication (he is supposeably on) doesn't seem to be doing the job it's suppose to do. Maybe there is a different underlying cause for this childs inner anger.
I have personally had a family member who had a young child who was violent. These parents loved their child so much that they took the child to a medical doctor.
In turn the medical docotr did testing,blood, urine, etc...along with allergy testing. It was discovered the child had such a severe reaction to "corn" products that eating anything with corn in it made their child angry!!! The child was mean to the parents and other siblings. The child doesn't eat corn or corn products and the child is doing quite well. There is another family I know of in the tri-county area who also has this allergy. This child was very young and also had violent tendencies. Wanting to kill the parent or set the house on fire....all of this negative behavior turned out to be a food allergy. It's just a thought for anyone concerned, but maybe this child could be helped and have a routine allergy test. Maybe this could help the child and all involved to lead productive lives.....
March 23, 2009
12:28 a.m.Report inappropriate content
to all u people who think Sharkey did something wrong, let me tell u every one of u r idiots. This so-called mother should never have called the police to help discipline her child. If a parent feels the need to call on an 8 year-old should never have became a parent in the first place. Trooper Sharkey was only trying to protect the family by not calling CPS, which would've taken the child from the home. He did this family a great service
March 24, 2009
5:57 p.m.Report inappropriate content
THEY NEED TO LIVE WITH THE DAD OR THEY WILL NEVER BE GOOD KIDS....I BELIEVE SHE SPANKED HIM AFTER THE OFFICER LEFT....OBVIOUSLY SHE CANT HANDLE HIM...IF THEY WEREN'T SO MANIPULATIVE PEOPLE THEY WOULD HAVE GOOD KIDS...I HAVE A CHILD WITH ADHD AND NEVER NEEDED TO CALL COPS....SO SHE IS EITHER LOOKING FOR ATTENTION OR WANTS MONEY HER MOM IS MOST LIKELY HELPING HER
March 28, 2009
2:01 p.m.(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
March 28, 2009
10:42 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Cupid, that's really observant...but for the fact that the AG is prosecuting the case and not Mark Reene.
March 30, 2009
10:27 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Reene's office handled the complaint initially and they have provided "support" to the AG in pursuit of the prosecution of Sharkey. He is in to this up to his elbows. Don't doubt it. Nothing happens in this county without that control freak knowing every detail of it.
March 30, 2009
3:57 p.m.(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
March 31, 2009
7:48 p.m.(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
April 3, 2009
7:47 p.m.Report inappropriate content
NORTHENDLOU says he is a retired State Trooper and worked with Tpr. Sharkey. Northendlou says he never did anything wrong while being a State Trooper. I say bull. Every officer worth his own spit, has made a mistake or two. Some just not as serious as others. Officers are human beings and are not perfect. Even though some like to think they are! I wonder how many years Northendlou spent on the road as an officer. Sounds like an administrative person passing judgement, without evidence.
What Tpr Sharkey did was a violation of his own Department Policy/Rules. If indeed the mother gave permission, it would not be a violation of the law, unless the discipline ended up causing marks of abuse. This was not the case. The mother gave permission, handed Tpr Sharkey the belt and asked him to do it, because she was uncapable of doing it. It was child discipline and not child abuse or assault as you are saying. Conduct violation charges by the Mich. State Police Department should be addressed only.
If you are a State Trooper, you probably could have read the report, or found someone to let you read it. You passed judgement, before he has his full day in Court. Innocent before proven Guilty, or have you forgotten.
You are failing to take in effect that the mother of the child could be telling a lie. Like that doesn't ever happen, and officer respond to a call, handles the situation as requested, and get a complaint filed, because they were not happy with the results.
You should have been suggesting a solution, or pointing out different points of view and interest to the public, like the Discipline law, and possible Polygraph Tests to see whom is telling the truth.
You may have been a good State Trooper, but you should be ashamed of passing judgement. Maybe it is a good thing you are retired.
By the way, I am a police officer of 23 years.
April 3, 2009
11:30 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Thank you for your service northendlou. I admire officers that stick it out on the road. Nice of you to admit you made some mistakes. But you still judged Tpr. Sharkey, calling him a clown, an idiot, and disgrace to the department. How would you feel if someone would have done that to you, on one of your mistakes.
I would bet, you had things happen in your career that you thought your department handled incorrectly. I would bet you had people file complaints against you. They said something completely different from the way that you said it occurred.
Frankly, you owe Tpr. Sharkey an apology. I have met him, I have worked with him. He is a knowlegable, intelligent, and decorated officer in your department.
I agree he made a bad choice. He should be punished by your department for violation of your Official Orders as you say.
He does not deserve to be brought up on Criminal Charges, loose his job, and perhaps his 25 year plus pension.
That is why it is so important to find out the truth from the officer and the mother. If the officer lied, have a court date. If the mother lied, think about charges against her for false information to police.
The media and others make it worse by calling it striking, beating, assault, or child abuse. It was child discipline, which is allowed by law. Mother got the help she requested, and now recants, and says that is not how it occurred.
Parents need to learn how to deal with their children. It is not the job of police. Nor should 911 centers be sending police to these types of calls, unless the child is so out of control, that he has injured someone or himself. Then it deems the parents to seek professional medical treatment or psych counseling. If they fail to get the child help, call Child Protective Services.
Parents now days think it is wrong to discipline by paddling. They let the children get away with things, without proper punishment. Children need to be tought right from wrong, so they do not grow up to be deliquents, or future adult criminals.
It is even more important in today's society, when sex, drugs, and alcohol are more prevelent with underage children/minors, and sometimes with the parents consent.
Cut backs by the County, State, and Federal Govt., has caused the lack of police officers on the road. It has now caused the early release of prisoners back onto our streets. Juvenile Homes barely surviving, and about to be shut down in some cases. Leaving the discipline to the parents.
Parents each need to work to survive financially. Children do not get the attention needed. Not all, but a good portion of the children in society do not get enough attention, and teaching by the parents. Children need to stay active to learn, not watch television, and play video games. Sports, Hobbies, and Crafts should be encourage by parents. Enough said.
April 5, 2009
7:18 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Why oh why if he was innocent and did nothing wrong would he enter a guilty plea of assault and battery?
April 7, 2009
9:35 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Just another Officer abusing the badge...
April 7, 2009
7:06 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I don't know the entire story, but here is my question...I just don't understand why he would plead guilty if he is innocent and claims he did nothing wrong?? Also since he did plead guilty of this crime and is being punished, he Should not be allowed to go back to work as an Officer. What kind of an example is this?? A person that we rely on to "protect and serve" is guilty of assault and battery is not the person I would want protecting my friends and family.
April 8, 2009
4:43 p.m.Report inappropriate content
He pled guilty because all you people that read between the lines and tried to blame everyone else but this officer were WRONG. He pled guilty because he didn't want all that happened brought out in a trial, and the Attorney General's Office did their homework and had the goods on him.
April 8, 2009
8:30 p.m.Report inappropriate content
sharkey didnt plea guilty. it was no contest. he didnt admit to anything and didnt deny anything. he just took a deal. happens all the time around here.
April 9, 2009
12:08 p.m.Report inappropriate content
JoeT - my bad, I should not have used the words "pled guilty;" however, when it comes to sentencing it's the same thing.
April 10, 2009
11:45 a.m.Report inappropriate content
My mistake...He plead No Contest. However, If is was as innocent in this as he claims, wouldn't you think that he would have fought for his innocence?? He didn't want everything that happened to come out at trial, so that means to me that he has something to hide.
April 11, 2009
2:11 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Sharkey plead no contest to the charges, and is getting a plea deal. He admitted to spanking the child with the mother's permission. That is in his police report. He was brought up on Assault charges, because the mother now denies giving permission for him to do so. Assault is a misdemeanor which carries a maximum penalty of 93 days and or $500.00 fine or both.
The Attorney General Mike Cox and the Tuscola County Prosecutor threw in an extra charge of Conduct unbecoming of a Public Official, which is a felony. Which could mean up to 5 years in prison. Since the Michigan State Police Official Orders does not allow a trooper to spank a child, even with permission, it could be considered Conduct unbecoming of a Public Official.
Tpr. Sharkey stood mute to the lesser of the two charges, on a plea agreement, hoping to keep his job, and keep his 25 year pension. He has been off work for nearly 6 months without pay, but still will face additional disicipline from the Michigan State Police Department, after the plea agreement with Tuscola County Prosecutor and the Courts.
Standing mute, would not be admitting guilt, but when it comes to sentencing you could face the same penalties of if you plead guilty. The advantage would be that you could prevent any further Civil Penalties from a law suit.
April 11, 2009
2:31 p.m.Report inappropriate content
If the Michigan State Police Official Orders does not allow a trooper to spank a child, even with permission, this Officer should have known this and still took it upon himself to spank the child.
Like I said earlier, I do not know the entire story because I wasn't there, as most of us commenting on this.
I still say that if an Officer that is disciplined for a crime of any nature should not hold a badge.
April 24, 2009
1:17 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Congrats for Trooper Sharkey!!! He did what was asked. Funny how the "Mother" in this situation didn't have much to say. "Spank" a child, not beat, which is what he did, maybe the mother needs to attend some counseling on her parenting skills.
REINSTATE WITHOUT RETRIBUTION, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! LOOK AROUND THERE ARE SO MANY IN THE LAW THAT SHOULDN'T BE ON THE BENCH, WORK IN THE PENAL SYSTEM, OR WEAR A BADGE.
May 23, 2009
1:37 p.m.Report inappropriate content
OK FOR ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE DEFENDED THIS OFFICER ARE COMPLEATLY STUPID DUE TO THE FACT IS. IF THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ANYONE ELCS THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND HAD HAVE THERE CHILDREN TAKEN AWAY THATS JUST THE HONEST TRUTH ABOUT TUSCOLA COUNTY THEY ARE MONEY HUNGERY AND CHILDREN SNATCHERS I KNOW FRIST HAND AND SO DOSE JUDGE WALLACE KENT JUST ASK HIM !!!! NOW HOW EVER NO MATTER IF A POLICE OFFICER OR A JUDGE OR EVEN THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICE WORKERS CAN BEAT THERE OWN KIDS AND GET AWAY WITH CAUSE WHY THEY FOR 1 HAVE TO MUCH POWER AND FOR 2 NO ONE WHO WORKS FOR TUSCOLA COUNTY THEY JUST DO WRONG AND ITS OK TO BEAT YOUR KIDS IF YOUR ON THERE SIDE OF THERE GAMES. TUSCOLA COUNTY IS COURRPTED AND MY HONEST OPION IS THAT THAT OFFCIER NEEDS A LONGER SIT IN JAIL THEN WHAT HE IS GETTING RIGHT ALONG WITH SOME OF THE JUDGES AND CPS WORKERS PLAIN AND SIMPLE. I HATE THAT COUNTY AND ILL NEVER MOVE BACK I FEEL SORRY FOR ANYONE THAT LIVES THERE WITH THERE CHILDREN IN THE FRIST PLACE. ABUSE IS ABUSE NO MATTER WHO DOSE IT SO WHY DOSE THAT OFFICER GET A TAP ON HIS HANDS LIKE A TWO YR OLD DOSE WHEN HE JUST NEEDS TO BE HIT WITH THAT BELT AS MANY TIMES IF NOT MORE LIKE HE HIT THAT KID AND BESIDES REGARDLESS IF THE MOTHER COULDNT CONTROL HIM THERES OTHER WAYS OF HANDLING DISAPLINE DUH !! AND HES A POLICE OFFICER HE KNOW BETTER AND I DONT BUY ANY EXCUSE WHATSOEVER.
May 23, 2009
3:36 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Hey Ty, the average I.Q in the county increased the minute you moved out. I hope you figure out where the caps lock key is soon.
May 23, 2009
3:44 p.m.Report inappropriate content
WELL VITO ITS CLEAR EATHER YOU WORK FOR THAT COUNTY OR YOU ARE ONE THAT CANT FACE THE TRUTH AND YEAH I DID BETTER MY SELF AND MY FAMILY BY MOVING OUT OF THAT COUNTY IT WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID AND IM THANKFUL THAT I DONT HAVE TO LIVE IN A COUNTY WITH PEOPLE LIKE A LOSER LIKE YOU
May 23, 2009
5:30 p.m.Report inappropriate content
And we're thankful that you moved away, one less uneducated person in the county is always a good thing. Here's a hint, now brace yourself; capslock off, spelling, grammar and paragraphs.
As it stands, for a first offense, Sharkey got a lot longer sentence than most do for the same crime. And you're full of it if you're going to lead anyone to believe that the police in Tuscola County arrest everyone and take their kids away for disciplining them. This lady struk her child with a belt in front of Sharkey, so by your reasoning, she should have been arrested on the spot? Please, get an education and come back with something intelligent.
May 23, 2009
7:48 p.m.Report inappropriate content
OMG YOU PEOPLE DONT GET IT I GUESS AND YA KNOW FOR ALL OF YOU WHO THINK THAT YOU KNOW THAT COUNTY YOUR WRONG AND MAYBE YOU NEED TO READ WHAT I PUT IN THE FRIST PLACE INSTEAD OF MAKING UP YOUR OWN STORY ABOUT THINGS THAT I DIDNT SAY IM JUST SIMPLEY SAYING THAT IF THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ANYONE ELCS THEY WOULD HAVE ALOT MORE CHARGES AND DO ALOT MORE TIME IN JAIL AND IN THE COURT SYSTEM THEN THAT OFFICER WILL EVER GET. ALSO I HAVE A RIGHT TO MY OPION AND I AM JUST VOICING IT SO GET OVER YOUR SELFS AND IF ANYONE NEEDS TO GROW UP MAYBE YOU SHOULD QUIT NITPICKING ABOUT CAPS LOCKS AND THINGS AND TALK ABOUT THE REAL PROBLEM AT HAND HERE, I SHOULD BE THE LEAST OF ANYONES WORRIE MY GOD HOW CHILDISH CAN YOU ALL BE. IF YOU GUYS THINK WRITING SOMETHING NEGITVE TOWARD ME IS GOING TO MAKE YOUR OWN LIVES BETTER HEY GO FOR IT HAVE FUN WHEN IT COMES BACK AND GETS YA REMEBER PEOPLE WHAT COMES AROUND GOSE AROUND !!!!!I JUST SEE MANY PEOPLE CUTTING PEOPLE DOWN FOR THERE OPIONS WELL MAYBE WE SHOULD CUT YOU DOWN? RIGHT ISNT THAT ONLY FAIR.WELL OF COURSE NOT CAUSE TWO WRONGS DONT MAKE IT RIGHT AND I AM NOT GOING TO LOWER MYSELF TO YOUR LEVELS POINT BLANK MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO STOP THE POLICE ,JUDGES, ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY RULE TAHT COUNTY. MAYBE TAKING ALITTLE BIT OF THERE POWER AWAY WOULD BE BETTER FOR EVERYONE. ABUSE IS ABUSE AND EVERYONE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE THE SAME AS EVERY PERSON NOT JUST BECAUSE THEY GOT A HIGHER POWER.
May 23, 2009
8:52 p.m.Report inappropriate content
So, it's okay for you to call Vito a Loser, and anyone who defended the trooper is stupid, but it's not okay for someone to retort with a question about your intellect?
And you're still full of it. That trooper got sentenced to more than any of us would have for the same thing. 90% of us would have merely received probation.
And your 'opinion' would be a little better received if you could type in a fashion that was easily understood. I can get by with the spelling errors, but capslock and one giant paragraph doesn't cut it.
June 2, 2009
8:07 a.m.Report inappropriate content
ty420zack818 were you sleeping in english class or just not attend and drop out? My God man, your grammar is poor as is your spelling. You need to go back to school, re-take an english class, and get the caps lock un-stuck on your computer. Public education at it's best folks! Wow, how do these people get by in life is a never ending question of mine. I think if I had skills that poor, I would just not post for everyone to see. People with poor grammar and spelling can not or will they ever, be taken serious as they come off looking like uneducated, idiots. Mrs. Furgeson, my english comp. teacher WAS right. Thank you Mrs. Furgeson, I see what you mean.
June 4, 2009
12:25 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Officer Sharkey got off easy. If he would not have been a state trooper and they had the evidence they have on Sharkey, the average citicen would not have been offered a plea that would include a plea of no contest. They would have had to plead guilty in order for any of the other charges to be dropped.
I am glad that officer sharkey did not loose his job over this, and only hope that he has learned that his badge is not a lisc to be violent with any citizen without good cause.
June 6, 2009
7:14 p.m.Report inappropriate content
If he would not have been a state trooper he would have walked away with probation and been done with it, even if he was forced to plea guilty to drop the felony. Most people in the same situation would not have spent a minute in jail, and it would be dropped from their record in 6 months or a year.
June 18, 2009
11:30 a.m.Report inappropriate content
To offer some constructive criticism, twosides, one might ascertain that you skipped an English class or two also...and because I am an English teacher, I think I can confidently point out that you made several errors in grammar, spelling, mechanics, and usage. I will, however, spare you the red pen. :)
I wish people could debate their positions and make educated arguments on the issues here rather than personally attack everyone who disagrees with them. (I hope you don’t feel attacked, twosides. That was not my intention; I just used you to illustrate my point. My apologies if offense was taken.)
There is a reason I seldom check this site and respond to anything I read here even less: people name calling and pointing fingers at others never solved anything in this town, state, country, continent, or world.
Until we learn to tolerate one another's differences and work together, we will never be successful and freedom will never be ours.
Respectfully Yours,
Laura Kent-Jones
July 1, 2009
1:24 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I have a comment about both parties. The mother called the police because she was unable to control her own child. What a shame that people have too many children and can't be fit enough to handle them on their own. If you can't control your kids, quit having them! I've seen way too many lives ruined by parents who don't have the time to put into raising kids correctly to be responsible, caring individuals. I don't care if this woman was a nice person! She still obviously can't be responsible for her OWN kids, how very sad! I've seen kids lives ruined too many times from parents who don't put forth the effort in making sure these kids grow to be responsible adults. SELFISH! That is pure and simple!
The police officer had no right to break out his belt to punish this child either. What gives him the right? He knows the law and should be held accountable for his unjust actions! I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for law enforcement to see these kinds of families day in and day out but it is not for him to punish. Maybe what he should have done was advise the mother towards some parenting classes!