Mother forces son to kill pet hamster for getting a bad grade

38-year-old Lynn Middlebrooks Geter was arrested in Meriwether County, Georgia after police say she punished her 12-year-old son in an unconventional and undeniably cruel way.

Geter, whose son is not being named, demanded the child kill his beloved pet hamster with a hammer after he received a bad grade in school. Meriwether County Sheriff Steve Whitlock spoke to the Atlanta Journal Constitution about the arrest, and says Geter is facing one charge each of animal cruelty, child cruelty and battery.

The day after the incident, Geter’s son told his teacher about his punishment. The child’s teacher contacted the local DFCS, who initiated the investigation. The crime is said to have occurred at the family’s home in Warm Springs, 90 miles southwest of Atlanta.

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