Child abuse can involve force-feeding a child either a food or non-food item. Washing a child’s mouth out with soap is a more common (but still questionable) example of this discipline technique. Some parents, however, take things too far and without realizing the dangers involved, end up hurting their kids.

Cases of Force-Feeding Child Abuse Deaths

• In Singerville, South Carolina, a 23-year-old mother stands accused of killing her 17-month-old daughter by force feeding the girl a teaspoon of salt. Kimberly Martin told media outlets she did it to try and win the affection of her husband. (USA Today, 8-5-2016, p. 4A)