Woman criticised after posting picture of Down’s syndrome boy in washing

A woman has sparked outrage after she took a photo of a toddler with Down’s syndrome she was caring for inside a washing machine.

Ms Stewart has removed the photo from Facebook after being quizzed by police.

Ms Stewart told the Daily Record that her son was not forced into the machine at any stage for the photo to be taken.

“He is clearly laughing in the pictures”, she said.

Speaking of the decision taken by someone who had seen the picture on Facebook to report it to police, she said: ‘I don’t know who reported it. I don’t really know why they would do that. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.’. “Taking him for a spin?”, she said.

Children with Down’s syndrome usually have learning disabilities, delayed development and may experience additional behavioural difficulties as a result of autism or ADHD.

Ms Stewart said that since posting the picture last Thursday, she has been physically attacked by a complete stranger.

Despite coming under fire from neighbours and social media users online, the 21-year-old refused to apologise for the image, saying that the boy she was caring for “loves the washing machine”. However, the people who saw the photographed did not agree, they believe the act was awful.

Stewart took the photo off Facebook after she was reported to police.

Stewart said the washing machine was unplugged at the time of the photo and that there was no way the boy could have been harmed.

But the young mum was later questioned by police after they were informed of the picture – and she claims she was also attacked on her doorstep.

Told the woman: ‘He’s got a bit of a washing obsession.

Lyn Grimley said on the Daily Record Facebook page: “I think it’s a disgusting thing to allow your child to play with”.

She said: “It’s terrible having the police at the door thinking you’re a bad person”.

“It happened on my doorstep at 11 o’clock in the morning”.

“I got assaulted by a woman”.

A 42-year-old woman was later arrested over the alleged assault. She appeared at Paisley Sherrif Court on Monday and the case was continued without plea for a week.

A spokesman for Renfrewshire Council told The Mirror: “We can’t comment on individuals but we are vigilant on any issue which could potentially affect the welfare of a child”.