Anderson and Co-Host Andy Cohen Discuss: Dad Bullying a Disabled Child
Thursday, October 04, 2012 3:12PM
On Thursday,'s "Anderson Live," Anderson was joined by his good friend Andy Cohen. Among the many trending topics discussed on The First 15, Anderson and Andy talked about an Ohio dad and his son who allegedly bullied their neighbor, a young girl with cerebral palsy.
Hope Holcomb, who is 10 years old, says she is afraid to come out of her house or ride on the school bus because her neighbor, William Bailey, and his son, a classmate, constantly mock the way she walks. Hope's grandmother videotaped William and his son allegedly making fun of Hope to shed light on the incident, which they say is a pattern of torment, and they're pursuing charges of aggravated menacing against the Baileys.
"I couldn’t believe it," Tricia Knight told the New York Daily News after seeing the neighbor supposedly mock her daughter. "I'm saying to him, 'Are you serious? My daughter is seeing you.'"
But Bailey denies he was mocking Hope.
"I love that little girl," he told CantonRep.com. "I never even meant that or anything at all toward little Hope. I don’t make fun of anybody with a disability." He alleges that Hope's parents have been bullying his son, who has seizures and ADHD.
Both families are due in court on Oct. 9 to determine if criminal charges will be filed, reports the New York Daily News.
Filed Under: As Seen On The Show
Comments
Someone needs to break out a large can of whoopass on this clown.
This parent is teaching his how to be a bully, and this is a shame for this man to be calling imself a dad. Then he have the nerves to lie about it. What makes it even worst this child is disable, I pray that the judge hit this idiot where it hurts the most, and make him stand on the street corner and wear a sign that say I teach my son to bully diable children and this is the recrouse the judge has made me do for my punishment Also he needs to take parenting classes because he has know ideal how to be a parent.
I say smash his knees with a baseball bat, then make fun of him when he is crippled. Let him see what it's like. POS
It is so sad when people mock what they cannot or will not try to understand,Baby girl be strong.Remember you are beautiful person and God Loves You,just as you are.
He loves her? He'd never make fun of her? Then what do you call what he's doing in the video? Unless he has gimp leg, he's dragging it for no reason whatsoever except to make fun of the girl.
I was proud to have a cousin with the worst case of cerebral palsy. she lived with heart monitor, in and out of wheel chairs, managed to make it through college 5 beta, drive herself all around texas, give birth to a beutiful little girl, only to be told at 42 that she would get worse and to check herself into a full time facility so she went home told to daughter to go to her grandparents sat in her bedroom and blow her brains out. The fact that the father was involved with such an act should be jailed as he is a wort on the butt of humanity. thanks Anderson for bringing to light such an issue in schools that start at home
There is a web page for Hope set up for comments, donations or links to anti-bullying sites and Hopes facebook page.
http://www.hopetostopbullies.com/index.html
I just wanted to comment on William Bailey. Mr. Bailey I have 4 daughters who I adore with all my heart. The fact that you have children & are a role model for your children makes me break out in tears. What if that was your daughter? What if I was the father making fun of your daughters disability? How would you feel? Did you see that beautiful little girl crying on stage? That is your fault. The maybe one chance she has to be in the media spot light & it's wasted on your short comings as a parent & role model. You William are a true example of Bad Parenting. To the beautiful little girl & her family that have had this happen to them. From the bottom of my heart I am sorry for what took place. If Mr.Bailey is not man enough to stand up & say sorry for his actions. Then allow me to do it for him. SORRY
PS.
William Bailey I hope everyday that you see this family that lives next door to you reminds you of the person that you use to be and guides to become the person you need to be. (Reality Check)
This type unforunately happpens alot as a disabled adult in Texas. I'm 25 year old man who has cerebal palsy. My name is Ron Poole. I would expect this type of behavior from a teen maybe another child but from an adult who is forty three? Willam has MAJOR issues. If Trica Knight and Hope need any support shoot me an email at wattugot99@yahoo.com. I wish i could say this gets better but these bullying issues may continue through her school days. I'm at work right now but I will send you some advice when I get home. The only
Mr. Anderson Cooper, just fly me over to this loser's house and i will kick him so hard, hell know what its like to not walk for a year.
What a complete A--hole.
Sometimes I wonder about what the human race is coming too. Children watch their parents or parent and follow what they see.
That's terrorism, He should be arrested for what he's doing. I wish i was HIS neighbor. I'd call a posse and give him and his little sh&% son the scare of a lifetime.
This is sad and unfortunately happens a lot. Does anyone know if their is a specific department where you can report abuse for mentally disabled adults?
This man is the lowest form of being! Not only should he be called out, he should be forever known as idiot! People that make fun of others are insecure about themselves. He should only hope to become as good of a human as Hope! I worked with people with different abilities most of my adult life and they are more worthy than most that do not have different abilities. I know it sounds wrong but use your brain and you can figure it out. When did the society we live in become so uncaring and immoral that this can in any way be thought of as ok in ANY way. Has reality TV made us a society that loves other's pain? If so then maybe we should start looking at what we as humans have become.