Delores Geddie severely beat her two adopted children. (belt buckle marks)

**Tazzzz** · April 16th, 2009, 06:53 PM

Delores Geddie, 57

Dunn, N.C. — A Harnett County woman charged with beating two of her children still has custody of a third child.

Delores Geddie, 57, of 801 S. Ellis Ave. in Dunn, was charged Monday with two counts of child abuse and was released after posting a $250,000 bond.

Harnett Primary School teachers and administrators reported suspected abuse to social service workers recently after a 7-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl showed up at school with deep bruises.

"They had belt marks on their back (and) on their arms, and the little boy had a belt mark on his face and nose," Dunn Police Chief B.P. Jones said.

Jones said the children's wounds didn't bleed but were severe enough to leave the imprint of a belt buckle on the skin.

"It was obviously excessive," he said. "I said, 'I don't know who did this, but they need to be arrested.'"

Geddie said she was under tremendous stress following the death of her aunt, and she simply lost her temper when the children acted out.

"I didn't mean for it to happen. Lord knows I didn't," she said.

"She just lost it. That's what she told the investigator," Jones said.

Carolyn Bell, who lives nearby, said she was shocked to hear about the abuse allegation.

"Kids are innocent. They don't need all that," Bell said.

Geddie said she adopted the children, along with their 5-year-old brother, five years ago because she wanted to keep them together.

The two who were injured are staying with Geddie's mother; Geddie is prohibited from seeing them as a condition of her bond. But Geddie retains custody of their brother, who is in a wheelchair.

Department of Social Services workers don't comment on cases, and Jones said he didn't know why the boy was left in Geddie's care.

Geddie said she loves all three of the children and said she knows that her actions could cost her everything.

"I'd hate to be the child that got beat that bad and have to go back to that house to the same person again," Jones said.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4968743/

**Wicked Doll** · April 16th, 2009, 07:03 PM

She's 57 and caring for a disabled brother and several small children. That would be enough to push anyone over the edge.

I'm not excusing her actions, however. I think she needs help with her load and perhaps it is best that the children are not returned to her care. If they are, it should be with a lot of oversight from social services.

It doesn't sound to me like she is being realistic about her situation. It was the "death of her aunt" that pushed her buttons. I think not. That may have been the final straw, but I think she's bit off more than she can chew and this outburst is a result of that.

**lucky** · April 16th, 2009, 07:05 PM

Geddie said she was under tremendous stress following the death of her aunt, and she simply lost her temper when the children acted out.

k, that is more than simply losing your temper lady!
you don't deserve those kids.

and now they're staying with her mother, how old is she if this bitch is 57?

**lucky** · April 16th, 2009, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Wicked Doll

She's 57 and caring for a disabled brother and several small children. That would be enough to push anyone over the edge.

ya, see, I kind of agree with you... but to me, being pushed over the edge would be a smack that you regret the second you do it (also not condoning this) but multiple bruises? she beat them. with a belt.

you're right though, sounds like she cares for them but it's just too much for her.

**Tazzzz** · April 16th, 2009, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by Wicked Doll

She's 57 and caring for a disabled brother and several small children. That would be enough to push anyone over the edge.

I'm not excusing her actions, however. I think she needs help with her load and perhaps it is best that the children are not returned to her care. If they are, it should be with a lot of oversight from social services.

It doesn't sound to me like she is being realistic about her situation. It was the "death of her aunt" that pushed her buttons. I think not. That may have been the final straw, but I think she's bit off more than she can chew and this outburst is a result of that.

Yeah, I am not saying 57 is old, but it is for raiseing a 5 & 7 year old, much less another disabled one. Thats way to many kids for her . Give them to someone who has time and love to share with them. And what the hell if she is 57 her aunt had to be in her 80 or more. how fucking long do you expect some one to live for, Geeze.

**Wicked Doll** · April 16th, 2009, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Tazzzz

Yeah, I am not saying 57 is old, but it is for raiseing a 5 & 7 year old, much less another disabled one. Thats way to many kids for her . Give them to someone who has time and love to share with them. And what the hell if she is 57 her aunt had to be in her 80 or more. how fucking long do you expect some one to live for, Geeze.

It takes a phenomenal amount of patience to raise little ones at that age I'm sure. I used to work with a woman that had a daughter that was a drug addict and prostitute. Grandma ended up raising another kid at 54 when she adopted the daughter's son.

She was at the end of her rope a lot with this boy, but she never raised a hand to him. She also had a great amount of support from her other children in helping to raise the kid right. Her husband was a saint too. Nice soft spoken fellow.

It's not easy and this lady is clearly unable to cope. If she really loves those children then it's time to let go and let somebody who is not overwhelmed give them a home.

**penelopejo** · April 17th, 2009, 06:44 AM

and kitty is a meanie.

great story tazz

**Kitty** · April 17th, 2009, 06:57 AM

Oj Pee is Not a morning person -- :P

**Nell** · April 17th, 2009, 02:19 PM

My mom is 51 and has a 9 and 12 year old. Can't use age as an excuse. She should know better and have more patience at her age. She is just mean as fuck. Belt buckle marks?? That is beyond spanking.