Unfit Mother

Elizabeth Escalona, 23 years old, of Dallas, USA, was sentenced to 99 years in prison on October 12, 2012 having been found guilty for beating her 2-year-old daughter and gluing her hands to a wall, this was reported by The Houston Chronicle. State District Judge Larry Mitchell said that Escalona “savagely beat” her child, Jocelyn and must be punished.

The accounts of the four other children of Escalona were given consideration: that their mother attacked Jocelyn in September 2011 due to potty training problems; that she kicked her daughter in the stomach; beat her with a milk jug; and stuck her hands to an apartment wall with an adhesive commonly known as Super Glue. As a result, Jocelyn suffered bleeding in her brain, a fractured rib, multiple bruises and bite marks, and was in a coma for a couple of days.

In their closing argument, prosecutors described Escalona as an unfit mother with a history of violence, who as a teenager threatened to kill her mother. They proved that she was a former gang member who started smoking marijuana at age 11.

Motherhood is a Godly calling, and therefore requires care, gentleness and faithfulness. As children are heavenly gifts, a mother must value a child who is far more precious than any treasure on earth. “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” (Psalm 127:3) The comforting embrace of a mother has the touch of God’s love, one that provides peace, rest and assurance. “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13)

The mother is tasked to nurture the child to becoming upright and virtuous. A mother must prioritize her time for her child - giving love, teaching Godly values, moulding him/her to becoming a good person. “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”(Galatians 6:10)  Before you know it, the child will have grown up, and those precious opportunities in the company of the child will be gone forever.  “But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

For the mother who takes her responsibility seriously will be justly rewarded.  “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Galatians 6:9) For the unfit mother, she shall deservingly be punished. “God punishes bad people but He helps good people.” (2 Peter 2)