Authorities claim discipline of child bordered on torture

Jerry Edward Phillips and Tiara Dawn Phillips enter the courtroom. A Gaffney police officer checking out a report of an apparent runaway Thursday night said he found much more than just a 9- year-old boy wandering the streets.

He also found evidence of abuse that police investigators say verged on torture.

By Friday afternoon, an adult couple was in custody and standing before Gaffney Judge Kaye Allison, each charged with child neglect. They are accused of causing physical and mental harm "by participating in the practice of violent and extreme punishment."

In this case, police said "violent and extreme punishment" referred to allegations the 9-year-old boy had been punished by being forced to stand on his tip-toes while wearing shoes studded with tacks and by being forced to stand with outstretched arms, with a can of food in each hand.

When the boy allegedly could no longer stand on his tip-toes, the soles of his feet would drop onto the tacks. And when the boy dropped his outstretched arms out of fatigue, he allegedly was whipped in the back with a belt.

Det. Sgt. Bill Odom of the Gaffney Police Department said the boy had severe bruises on his back and many puncture wounds on his feet.

"His injuries were not life-threatening but quite severe to be considered punishment," Odom said.

Tiara Dawn Phillips, 27, of North Granard Street, was arrested late Thursday. Jerry Edward Phillips, 30, also of North Granard Street, was arrested Friday at a Rita Street home.

When police officer T.L. Medley initially came across the boy Thursday night, the boy said he had run away because he could not take any more punishment.

When the officer asked Tiara Phillips about the boy's story, Tiara Phillips allegedly confirmed that she and Jerry Phillips had done what the boy claimed as punishment and admitted "that was a stupid thing to do."

Allison set both Tiara and Jerry Phillips' bonds at $50,000 during hearings Friday afternoon in the courtroom at Gaffney City Hall.

Both Tiara and Jerry Phillips said little during the hearing.

"If I don't make bond, how long will I be in jail," Tiara Phillips asked.

"You'll be held until the time of your trial," Judge Allison responded.

Department of Social Services workers, who were present for the hearing, confirmed for the judge the status of the child as well and said that any future contact between the child and Tiara and Jerry Phillips should be supervised in their office.

Odom said the young boy was being sent to be checked out by a doctor on Friday.