Utah relatives say 'hot sauce mom' getting a bad rap


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SALT LAKE CITY -- Video of Alaska mom Jessica Beagley using hot sauce or a cold shower to punish her 7-year-old adoptive son is all over the internet.

The videos were uploaded because Beagley went on the Dr. Phil show to try and get help on how to discipline the boy. Now she has been charged with misdemeanor child abuse, but family members of Beagley who live in Utah say the media is not giving out the whole story.

"They did not discuss the challenges (the child) is going through and the problems they have had on getting him to this point. They just focus on the punishment," said Beagley's sister-in-law Cheryl, who doesn't want her last name given out because she says she is being harassed by the media trying to get in touch with her brother.

Cheryl said the 7-year-old was adopted from Russia along with his twin. She said the child tries to control his brother, won't conform to family rules and constantly lies. But she said the media hasn't focused on that at all.

Peter Ramgren, a family attorney, told ABC News, "They're good people caught in a bad situation."

Ramgren said Alaska Child Protective Services has not taken any of the children away because the home is not dangerous. He also said Beagley has done nothing criminal.

Cheryl said her sister-in-law admits she went too far with the punishment, but Cheryl also said Beagley and her husband won't say anything publicly yet because they are thinking of countersuing.

E-mail:cwall@ksl.com

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Cleon Wall

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