Mom Arrested On Child Abuse Complaint

The mother of a young boy is behind bars, one week after her son was killed.  Christopher Barnard's step-father is already charged with the boy's murder.  The News On 6's Ashli Sims reports now police say Christopher's mother knew about the abuse.

As Christopher Barnard's paternal grandparents see it, two people were responsible for their grandson's death.  And, they're pleased two people are now paying the consequences.

Mary Bacon says she hasn't had the heart to move Christopher's trucks from the porch.  They're in exactly the same place that he left them, the last time he visited.

"It's hard.  We never get to see him or play with him again.  And, he loved coming over," said Christopher's grandmother, Mary Bacon.

Mary and Mark Bacon, Christopher's paternal grandparents, can hardly believe their short time with the four year old is over.  The couple says their grief is now mingled with relief since Christopher's mother, Roxann Barnard, has been arrested.

"The two main people are behind bars and hopefully they'll get what's coming to them," said Mary Bacon.

Christopher's stepfather, Steven Lockler Junior, has been charged with the four year old's murder.  Police believe he hit the four year old twice in the stomach killing him.

Mary says she knows Roxann knew of the abuse because she talked about it, during a counseling session.

The Bacons say Roxann left for a while, but not forever.

"And then she went back to him.  If you love your child you can't do that. You can't take them back into an abusive situation," said Mary Bacon.

It can't bring their grandson back, but they're determined to reach out to other people who might be facing a similar situation.

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05/02/08  Father Speaks Out On Son's Death