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Alabama woman makes son, 7, walk home from school as punishment, then runs him over with her car

Sarai Rachel James, 27, was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse

Published on: Feb 19, 2024, 07:05:15 IST
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An Alabama woman allegedly made her son, 7, walk home from school as punishment. While he was on the way, she accidentally ran him over.

Sarai Rachel James allegedly made her son, 7, walk home from school as punishment (Marshall County Jail)
Sarai Rachel James allegedly made her son, 7, walk home from school as punishment (Marshall County Jail)

27-year–old Sarai Rachel James learned on February 9 from the boy’s principal that he got into trouble at school. She picked her son up from school, but made him get out of the car on the way and asked him to walk or run home, which was about eight blocks away.

For a few blocks, James drove beside the boy or trailed him. The child tried to grab the door handle when she slowed down the vehicle, Boaz Chief of Police Michael Abercrombie told McClatchy News. When she accelerated, her son was pulled under the car. Police said the vehicle ran over him with a rear tire.

Abercrombie said investigators believe the tragedy took place by accident. However, it would never have happened if James had not punished the boy. “She may not have realized he was doing that,” Abercrombie said.

The boy was rushed to the University of Alabama hospital with. He had abrasions on his back and side of the head, but suffered no internal injuries. “God watched over him,” Abercombie said.

James was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse. Three days later, authorities released her on a $50,000 bond, jail records showed. She is not allowed to have any contact with her son, according to AI.com.

Another woman, 57, was in James’ car when the incident took place. She was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, and later released on a $500 bond.

  • Sumanti Sen
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sumanti Sen

    Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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