Police are investigating a mother who duct taped her toddler’s mouths shut and then posted the image to Facebook with the caption “for sale.”
The photo, posted by a mother from Memphis in the US on Facebook on Friday had the status update “Kids for sale, 45 per cent off because they bad.”
In the disturbing image the toddlers can be seen sitting in a car, with grey duct tape tied around their hands across their mouths.
The oldest of the little children appears to have tears in her eyes.
The photo sparked outrage after it was posted on the social network by Jaibabi, who is thought to be the mother of at least one of the toddlers.
Memphis Police Department in Tennessee were then informed of the photo and have said they are investigating the image.
According to WMC a cousin of Facebook user Jaton Justsilly Jaibabi who posted the pic said it was intended as simply a joke.
Derion King wrote: “Basically a joke at the moment that people just went overboard about. People make mistakes and that’s what this situation is, a lesson learned. They are safe, unharmed, and loved. That’s all it is to it.”
He said “Our family and friends know the love we have for all the kids in our family.”
“They [the children] are safe, unharmed, and loved that’s all it is to it.”
But Facebook users who commented on the image said is was “offensive” and “wrong”.
“I could not breathe” wrote one ”It took my breath away, caused extreme emotional distress. These are children. These are human beings.”
Top Comments
I noticed the hands were also taped by this mother - I think this is so, so horrible. How would those two very young children feel - restraint, like this, is a very abusive act!
It's a joke, for goodness sake! I have a picture of me at 3 with tape on my mouth, that my uncle took while babysitting me haha. No harm was intended, no harm was done...
duct tape is not a joke. masking tape maybe... but duct tape? that's serious stuff. this photo makes me feel sick to my stomach. remember this photo is also not funny for anyone who has had their mouth taped in a extremely serious and upsetting scenario.
Duct tape was used by my uncle, and it was still funny at the time and even more so now. We got to duct tape his mouth and legs together, and that was even more fun!
Lots of photos aren't funny to people who have been in upsetting scenarios, this photo is no different.
ok well if you didn't find it painful, you're lucky. usually duct tape is difficult and painful to remove.