By Alicia Turner | WCTV Eyewitness News

THOMASVILLE – A 49-year-old grandmother is behind bars for allegedly abusing her three grandchildren.

Rena Mae Mitchell faces three counts of cruelty to children in the first degree.

We spoke to a child advocate in Thomasville, who provided some staggering statistics on child abuse in the area.

It’s called corporal punishment when a parent or guardian decides to physically punish their child. The problem is that when it goes too far, it’s called abuse.

Advocates in Thomas County said each child should have the chance to grow up without being harmed. However, studies show the reality is that one in every four children is, or has been abused by the time they turn 18.

“It’s difficult to know that children in our community and backyard are hurt,” explained child advocate Jennifer Davidson.

Since the beginning of the year, Davidson said she’s seen 100 new cases involving some form of abuse in Thomas County alone.

“Child abuse does have longterm effects on children. It can impact self-esteem, body image, mental health, and the way a child communicates with others,” Davidson said.

Most recently, the case involving Rena Mitchell, a 49-year-old grandmother.

“People are not aware that the most likely offender to commit child abuse is someone that the child knows, and someone that the family may even feel close to,” Davidson explains.

Mitchell is accused of beating her three grandchildren with objects like belts and phone chargers. The children range in age from 12 to 2 years old. One of the incidents was even caught on camera.

Thomasville Police Captain Maurice Holmes said, “Watching the video is disturbing, due to the act occurring to the children themselves; and also the vulgar language being used toward them.”

Both child advocates and the police department said there’s a fine line between punishment and abuse.

“Anything that can cause bruising, physical or mental anguish, then it’s going to be subject to be investigated as abuse of the child, that you went too far during a disciplinary act,” Captain Holmes explained.

Jennifer Davidson poses the question to adults, “Instead of abusing a child, what can you do instead? What kind of positive parenting skills can you use so that we don’t even get to that point anymore?”

A point that could have damaging consequences for both the abuser and the child.

Davidson says there are some signs to look for if you suspect abuse of your child or a child you know.

Those signs may include:

 

• Mood swings

• Bedwetting

• A change in appetite

• The child becoming more clingy to parents

• The child becoming more distant from parents

• The child not wanting to go to someone’s house

• The child not wanting someone to come over

• The child changing who they hang around

 

If you suspect that your child or any other child is being abused, call local law enforcement or the Department of Children and Families.