South Carolina Father Accused of Threatening to Harm 11-Year-Old Son After the Child Asked for Food, Deputies Say

SOUTH CAROLINA – Deputies Say Father Became Aggressor After Calling Police About “Unruly” Son

A South Carolina father who asked deputies to remove his “unruly” 11-year-old son from their home is now facing criminal charges himself. According to the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office, 44-year-old Thomas Baker has been charged with unlawful conduct toward a child after investigators determined he directed a series of violent threats toward the boy when he simply asked for food.

Baker initially called authorities on Saturday claiming he was “tired of the boy not listening,” according to Columbia-based NBC affiliate WIS. But deputies soon found that the father — not the child — was the source of the danger.

Deputies: Child Asked for Food and Was Met With Extreme Threats

According to the sheriff’s office statement, the boy told deputies he had asked for something to eat when Baker allegedly responded with profanity-laced threats, telling him:

“Get the [expletive] out of my room or I’m going to wreck your [expletive] face.”

Investigators say the verbal abuse escalated further. Baker allegedly told his son:

• “You need to take a knife and stab it in the neck and pull it out that way.”
• “If you are on fire, I’ll pour gas on you so you burn even more.”

WIS reports that some of the incident was captured on video, which was turned over to deputies as evidence.

Sheriff Issues Strong Condemnation

Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell spoke publicly about the case, invoking a biblical teaching to highlight the cruelty involved.

“It reminds me of the verse in Matthew that asks if your son asks for bread who would give him a stone?” Ravenell said. “This boy didn’t even get a stone.”

Child Relocated to Safety as Case Moves Forward

Following the investigation, authorities placed the child in the care of a family member. The sheriff’s office has not released additional details on the boy’s condition but emphasized the importance of reporting child mistreatment early.

Baker’s case remains under review, and additional updates are expected as legal proceedings continue.

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