A father has taken to Facebook to express his distress at his [18-month-old]https://www.nowtolove.com.au/parenting/expert-advice/teething-and-thrush-18606|target=”_blank”|rel=”nofollow”) son being punched in the head by a stranger at their local supermarket.
Shane Maddren said his son Theodore “took it like the champ he is” when he was hit in the side of the head by the man, believed to be in his 20s.
His mother, Shelly Maddren, told Newshub that they were waiting at the deli behind the man and someone she thinks was either his father or caregiver.
“The next thing I knew he had turned around, I think in frustration or maybe being little bit overwhelmed in the situation he was in, and just lashed out,” she said.
“It just happened that we were right next to him and with a closed fist, [he] just punched my son Theo in the side of the head.”
The man, who the Maddrens suspect had an intellectual disability, was rushed away while he tossed goods off shelves and lashed out at his caregiver, leaving the whole family stunned.
“It was quite a thump. He didn’t even cry but he was confused about what had happened,” Mrs Maddren explained.
“Everyone was quite shocked that it had just happened.”
Theodore with his mum and dad.
Theodore appeared to be fine, but was later taken to hospital when he started vomiting – “on four different people because one is not enough”.
However, doctors discharged him, suspecting he had contracted a virus rather than suffering a concussion.
“We don’t hold any malice to the boy and his father or carer,” Mrs Maddren said.
“We just really want to… make sure that he’s got support for him, because I’m sure his carer will be feeling awful about what happened, and if the [younger man] can comprehend what happened as well he might be feeling really bad as well.”
Theo is back to normal and adorably dancing to his favourite beats.
