You can bet no one is smiling about this. A 33-year-old Pennsylvania man thought it would be a brilliant idea to tattoo a yellow smiley face and durogatory word on a 12-year-old's arm. Because why wouldn't a grown man who should know better think it's okay to take it upon himself to permanently destroy a little girl's body?
Randall Charlton III reportedly tattooed the tween's forearm while she was staying overnight at his house. He included some sort of curse word above the smiley face. There are a few things we aren't sure about yet: what was the nature of their relationship? Are they related and in what way? And: was Randall an actual tattoo artist? Did he use (let's pray) a safe and clean needle to ink the girl?
Here's what we do know: tattooing a young child is absolutely bonkers behavior on the part of an adult. It's completely and utterly irresponsible. I don't care if this little girl was begging him to draw a smiley face on her arm. He's way too old to think for a split second this wouldn't affect the girl for the rest of her life.
Fortunately, no one is taking this lightly. Charlton is in jail and unable to post the $20,000 bail to get out. He's being charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, unlawful tattooing, corruption of minors, and endangering the welfare of a minor.
In addition to serving time and/or paying hefty fines for what he did, if he's found guilty, this man should also be forced to pay for the girl's laser tattoo removal. And would it be outrageous to ask him to see a therapist? I mean, why would he think this is okay?!
Why do you think this man would tattoo a 12-year-old girl? What's an acceptable punishment for his behavior?
Image via Micael Tattoo Faccio/Flickr