ECSO: Man Videos Child Beating To Tune Of Robin Thicke Song ‘Blurred Lines’

September 17, 2013

A Molino man is facing multiple child abuse charges after allegedly beating a juvenile girl on video to the tune of the Robin Thicke song “Blurred Lines”.

Steven Grady Fillingim, age 40 of Chestnut Road, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on three counts of felony child abuse. He was being held without bond.

Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a child abuse complaint on Sunday. The victim said Fillingim came home Saturday night and became angry with her, calling her lazy, because she had not vacuumed up bugs from the carpet. He allegedly struck her on the face with a belt and his hands, but he did not leave any marks. According to an arrest report, he then made the victim hold a 20-pound weight straight out in front of her body, and then made her hold an 8-pound weight behind her. He then reportedly made the victim shovel dirt for about an hour and a half before allowing her to go to bed at 1:30 a.m.

The victim told deputies that punishments were for “being lazy” and for skipping school the previous week.

The day she skipped school, the victim said Fillingim began to hit her on the backs of both thighs with a switch about 2.5 feet long for about 40 minutes, using the switch like a whip.

As he was striking the victim, Fillingim played the Robin Thicke song “Blurred Lines”, striking her with the switch to the beat of the music, an arrest report states. At some point during the beating, Fillingim began to record the incident with his phone and sent the recording to his girlfriend via text message.

A deputy that viewed the video said it was titled “She’s Home” and what appears to be a switch is repeatedly stuck across the upper thigh area of a person’s legs. The face of the person is not visible in the video, but the deputy said the portion of the legs was the same area where the victim was bruised.

The victim also reported Fillingim struck her multiple times leaving a bruise on the upper portion of her left arm.

Fillingim’s girlfriend told deputies she observed Fillingim strike the victim with a belt before ordering her to hold a weight. The victim said she was then ordered to go to her room and “mind her own business”, the report states. The woman told deputies that she has now broken up with Fillingim and no longer wished to continue a relationship with him.

The arrest report does not specify the relationship between Fillingim and the victim.

The Department of Children and Families is also investigating the incident.

Comments

41 Responses to “ECSO: Man Videos Child Beating To Tune Of Robin Thicke Song ‘Blurred Lines’”

  1. confused on September 19th, 2013 8:13 pm

    Yep! real sicko’ Lock him up and give him the same treatment. You cannot justify that kind of behavior with bible verses or anything else. Face it, he is just a bad, sick person. This is not the way to you teach any child the difference from right and wrong. The young girl definitely will need counseling to help her get past this and live a normal life, then; hopefully history will not repeat itself down the road. Where are the grandparents and the mother? Were there no signs this was going on? Sure, pray for him, get him help…BUT never never, ever ever should he have any contact with ANY child. Whatsoever.

  2. Maryanne on September 19th, 2013 4:39 pm

    I can’t believe I am reading all these comments about MOST of you beating, whooping and disiplinging your children. There is no need for any of this. My parents raised 6 children and I was never beat. My father raised his voice and we KNEW to knock it off. This is why there is so much child abuse today. You set an example and your children will beat thier children just like you are doing to them. It is a vicious cycle. Teach your children manners and respect early on, that is the key. NOT beating, whooping or abusing them. Like that one post said, how would you like to be beat if you did anything wrong?????

  3. David Huie Green on September 18th, 2013 10:25 pm

    CONTEMPLATING:
    “Do I think what this person did was right, no I don’t but to the parents that think sitting your kid down and talking to them is just as effective as a good ole whooping I believe you are mistaken!”

    Apples and oranges.

    A video recording of a 40 minute beating set to music is not related to discipline.
    (Unless your concept of a “good ole whooping” involves choreographed beatings.)
    It isn’t even related to sanity.

    David for a saner world
    better music

  4. Brad on September 18th, 2013 3:57 pm

    I know this guy and never in a million years would have thought this! However I do want to put my 2 cents in, when I lived in my parents house and did something wrong I got punished, didn’t matter if it was a belt, wooden spoon, hairbrush are whatever was close and to this day I love my parents and believe it made me a better person. That’s what is wrong with the world today no discipline. Do I think what this person done was rite, no I don’t but to the parents that think sitting your kid down and talking to them is just as affective as a good ole whooping I believe you are mistaken!

  5. Tammy on September 18th, 2013 3:16 pm

    Sounds like he has some CONTROL issues! As do MANY adults I see lately….. and Love for their children is no where to be found…. I do not understand for the life of me how this happens to people…. I love my children so much… and have no desire to ‘control’ them …. but to love them into growing to be adults and living a peaceful significant life. There are WAY too many who abuse others in our world today…. a spirit of distraction….. the adversary (spirit of the devil himself) roams to and fro seeking whom he may devour. This spirit has over come so many ….. your atmosphere will control who you become…. what are you entertaining? What atmosphere do you entertain?

  6. Molino Mom on September 18th, 2013 12:37 pm

    I have known Steve for many years. Yeah, he’s a little on the strange side,to say the least, but I would have NEVER thought he was capable of harming a child! I am truly shocked! And VERY disappointed! I pray for this child to be with someone who will love her and treat her the way she should be treated!

  7. HAB on September 18th, 2013 11:57 am

    There are two sides to every story when it concerns two adults. This is a child. I don’t care what she did. We all had growing pains and I’m sure if we could look in everyone closet there would be things you did as a “juvenile” that you are embarassed about. So what if she acted up. Those are growing pains. But no matter what, you do not beat a child to the point of enjoyment. I’ve never hit my kids while playing my favorite song. This man seriously needs help and so does this child.

  8. Karen on September 18th, 2013 11:32 am

    My heart breaks for this child I do not understand how anyone could physically or mentally do this to any child. Thank God this was reported to the police you may have saved this child’s life. How could anybody think it is not abuse 40 minute whippings, bruises, holding weights and shoveling until 1:30 in the morning. Before you start bashing me Please Google video to the song concrete angel by Martina Mcbride and watch it maybe it will change your mind and heart. I sure hope so.

  9. Stephanie on September 18th, 2013 10:42 am

    This man is disgusting and i wish i could get my hands on him for treating a child this. i read some of these comments and few of them are actually condoning his behavior which disgust m. To the one who said there are 2 sides to every story, well i am glad this child is still alive to tell hers because there ar thousands of ohers that never had the oppertunity. now i believe in spanking just enough to hurt my childs feelings but to never ever cause physical harm and never should you leave marks because if you dothe IS abuse, shoveling at 1:30am, are you serious??? sounds like she was more his household slave, i am glad this child is now out of this sad and sick man’s custody and i hope the inmates give him EXACTLY what he deserves. Everyone please get to know your neighbors andwatch out for watch out for each other. I am not sure if his neighbors knew him or not but ti’s the 1st step in bettering our communities. Always look out for each other and pay attention to starnage behavior, it may actually save a life!!

  10. Goodness Gracious on September 18th, 2013 9:53 am

    I remember growing up in the 70’s/80’s and getting my share of whippings. Belts by my daddy and switches by my mother. I remember hating my parents after they beat the snot out of my brother and I, but what was I to do? I calmed down, got over it and continued on. But I always had it in the back of my mind what was coming if I acted up. And of course having a younger brother we fought a lot and that’s when we’d get it. We were never tongue lashed, called names, made to do stupid things like hold weights, or belittled by our parents. They loved us, but expected us to mind and do the right thing. Was it on the borderline of abuse? By today’s standards, Yes. But to this day, I’m glad I got those whippings. It’s made me into the man I am today. Still to this day, yes maam, no maam, yes sir and no sir. And that’s what i tell everyone, not just my parents. Do I discipline my children the same way? Well of course not. Do I discipline my children? Hell yes, but not the extreme I was taken to. It works. Your children have to be reminded from time to time who’s boss. But to this person that’s in jail now, you took it too far. Hopefully you can learn from this and be a better father someday. Cause Lord knows your feeling some kinds guilty right about now. And if your not, well then your in the right place.

  11. curious on September 18th, 2013 8:58 am

    disgusting, also you stated that you grew up in this type of environment, yet you say that it is abuse, then say you were whipped by flip flop & this is what you use, so you continue? Just what I thought, & I’m being very sarcastic, but if you use a flip flop & don’t leave a mark, well you just might be giving a swatting not a whipping, some people don’t understand the difference between the two, & the ones that get a swatting are soooo abused, you poor things, shame on those who didn’t whip your your rearends, & yes, some need an old fashion whipping, just saying, everyone does have their opinions.

  12. Bama Boy on September 18th, 2013 6:32 am

    And people wonder what’s wrong with Alcohol hmmmmm

  13. Sara on September 18th, 2013 6:19 am

    “Blurred Lines” is a song @ sexuality & the video has nude women in it, prancing @ the singer, Robin Thicke… This “father” sounds like he’s a bit perverted, in my opinion.

  14. disgusting on September 18th, 2013 12:38 am

    Ok first of all I grew up in a similar environment and I’m here to tell you that is ABUSE get your facts straight….when u whip a child u are never to leave a mark or bruise and what makes yall think hitting in the face ain’t abuse and “making” her shovel.until 1:30 a.m. Also she shouldn’t have any marks or bruising on her arms either!!! And for the so called great person that said flip flops don’t work well guess what that’s what my grandparents and that’s what I use…was I scared of them.like I was my parents no…and is my child scared of me no….a whipping is something to get their attention and more less hurt their feelings…people wonder why there are so much abuse going on now days…hhhhmmmm I wonder people agree and are defending this low life piece of crap!!! No child or adult should every have to be in a situation like this!!! This world needs Jesus and bad!!!! Praying for the child!!!!

  15. David on September 17th, 2013 10:31 pm

    kellie – you said there’s two sides to every story. There are plenty of dead children who never got to tell theirs. Stop making excuses for abuse. You and many others are part of the problem with that mentality. Shame on you.

  16. Just disgusted on September 17th, 2013 9:34 pm

    This man makes me sick! I know his family, and they are NOT like this! This man clearly has some psychological issues, if he thinks he can whip someone and send it VIA TEXT MESSAGE! He should learn from teenagers now days, and know that text messages COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU! Lock him and his “girlfriend” up! I hope his girlfriend feels like a horrible person for letting him beat someone! She is just as guilty!

  17. curious on September 17th, 2013 9:31 pm

    He should not have whipped to the tune of music nor should he have taped , as for skipping school, he should have taken care of that situation then. I also have whipped my kids, my Daddy whipped me & yeah it hurt @ the time but I learned not to do the same thing again & to do what he said the first time, did he leave marks, of course. I don’t like whipping mine, but I’m not gonna put up with back talking, skipping school & a few other things, & whoever says they whipped theirs & didn’t leave a mark or bruise is either lying or you didn’t do a good enough job, because I bet Johnny boy or sally went right back to what they did to get the so called whipping like a swat across the behind with the flip flop 1 time & that was the whipping they got.

  18. Ajhenn on September 17th, 2013 9:24 pm

    I am all for minding my own business, until it concerns a kid who is to afraid to speak up because of abuse of any kind. Kudos to the girlfriend. Discipline is good, but this man’s version of discipline is warped. If you think beating a child to some rhythm of music is good, you need your head checked. I’m really tired of seeing people on here stating “you should not judge” or “don’t be so quick to judge”………..obviously it is not apparent to you that this man has gone beyond what is acceptable by society. Somebody has to look out for this girl. There’s no telling what else he may have done to her.

  19. kellie on September 17th, 2013 8:24 pm

    There is always two sides to a story. Dont judge everyone is always so quick to judge. Praying for the child and Steve.

  20. No Excuses on September 17th, 2013 6:46 pm

    @ Sickened,

    Here is what the Bible says:

    Proverbs 13:24
    New International Version (NIV)

    24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

    I think “Spare the rod and spoil the child” was just a paraphrasing of this verse.

  21. trroubled on September 17th, 2013 5:27 pm

    There is spanking and there is abuse, what I read was abuse!!! My parents spanked me as a kid and I turned out fine. Beating a kid only teaches the child that they are wrong no matter what. The person who did this cant even be called a man. Just venting

  22. Jennifer Tucker on September 17th, 2013 4:55 pm

    I feel for the young girl. I understand spanking but I believe taping and hitting her to a song is not spanking it is taking this to a weird level. I wonder how long this has been going and no one has said anything?

  23. The Truth on September 17th, 2013 4:43 pm

    If the state would just bring back the paddle and the parents wouldn’t cry and whine about ” THEY SPANKED MY KID!” You can believe the stealing, drugs and just being a plan ole spoiled brat would stop or at least slow down. But the parents have to quit spoiling them. In the early 80’s and 90’s when I went to school I or anyone never even thought of going into a school or anywhere else and killing people. There is nothing wrong with discipline. But you do not have to tape it. Just NIP IT IN THE BUD!

  24. Paul W.S. on September 17th, 2013 4:42 pm

    Oh my, everyone is judging this man & we all don’t know the whole story, and there are two side to every story. Your breaking my heart with these comments, you want some cheese with that wine. With the evidence they have , I would say he’s guilty.

  25. Just a thought on September 17th, 2013 4:41 pm

    “Spare the rod and spoil the child” is one thing.

    Intentionally humilating a child is another. I don’t believe that is at all biblical. God doesn’t enjoy punishing his children. So beating a child to the tune of a song, seemingly getting enjoyment out if it doesn’t seem biblical either.

    Personally, I think it is wrong to use the Bible to justify this kind of action against a child. Deserving or not, this is not the way to discipline.

  26. mommytolots on September 17th, 2013 3:27 pm

    @ clint & 2cents…
    I am a mother of three and yes I have spanked my children…but NEVER have I EVER left a mark let alone bruising on any part of my children’s bodies. And I would never sadistically beat my child to a tune and with the song in the background Everyone seems to think that just because the Bible say that to spare the rod is to spoil the child that gives them a right to abuse their children. I also practice the act of waiting until I know that discipline for misbehavior is just that and not my angry reaction to something my kids have done. I agree with JC-this guy enjoyed this! I actually love my children…

  27. clint on September 17th, 2013 2:41 pm

    2 sides to every story..just saying

  28. 2CentsFarm on September 17th, 2013 2:35 pm

    If gettin a switching and holdin weights is punishment for not doing chores you got because you skipped school then me and everyone I know was abused growing up. Heck video taping it for embarrassment would make me not want to break the rules again. Glad my folks didnt have a video tape back then. I was michieveous and diserved my whoopins. Everyone is judging this man and dont know the whole story im sure, just like I dont . You would have to see the video. Looks like the article was written to make it look like a senseless beating of a victim child, when all of us know we go to walmart and see an unruly child that makes you think that youngin needs a good spankin. Spare the rod spoil the child. Proverbs 23:13 & Proverbs 13:24 and if you want to judge a man without knowing the story and letting the justice system find him guilty if he is then he who is clean cast the first stone. John 8:7 Pray for the family instead of bashing.

  29. Momma on September 17th, 2013 9:48 am

    I am a mother, and I discipline my children when need be. I can not imagine myself going overboard and ABUSING my kids. My heart breaks everytime I have to discipline them. Whate drives these people to abuse their kids???

  30. Kimberly on September 17th, 2013 9:28 am

    @diane- the gf must have turned the video over fairly quickly since the girl still had the bruises on her legs. This story makes me sick to my stomach. I’m praying that this young girl will be able to get help and still have a happy, productive life. All things are possible with the Christ Jesus.
    I also pray that this man stays locked up!

  31. paul on September 17th, 2013 8:49 am

    he should get some extra time in prison just for playin that song :0

  32. diane on September 17th, 2013 8:23 am

    I am confused over who this victim belongs to.. No place do I see that this is his child. In the article she is referred to as the victim, and she is indeed that, but where is the mother? Is this his child and if not who left this child in his care?…It is not telling what this child has endured under his care before this. I would also like to know what time period was between the gf getting the taping of him beating this child and when she turned it over to the law. If the beating tape was over her skipping school the previous week and the gf had the tape at that time without reporting this she should be questioned…

  33. Molino momma on September 17th, 2013 8:07 am

    Wow, in your own neighborhood. You never know what goes on behind closed doors.. Poor child….I am speechless!!!!

  34. HAB on September 17th, 2013 7:18 am

    People like you never change. What a coward you are hitting a child with a belt. If you think she is lazy, it is because you raised her that way. She’s just a kid and had no way to defend herself. My hat off to the girlfriend who reported it. Although you should have reported abuse the first time you saw her get hit with his belt. One day he would do the same thing to you. Please don’t call yourself a man because you are the furtherest thing from it.

  35. Anastasia on September 17th, 2013 7:17 am

    Where is her mother?

  36. southern girl on September 17th, 2013 6:41 am

    Now someone needs to do the same thing to him……make him hold a hundred pound weight and continue to hit him with a with a belt to the tune of music.

  37. John on September 17th, 2013 6:35 am

    So you like to hit women.I only hope you go somewhere ,that can adjust that attitude.
    What kind of father can do this to his own child.The mental and physical damage you have done can never be taken back.
    This has certainly changed how you are viewed by me.But my judgement is nothing compared to hers.I hope you receive every charge possible.What a coward.Lets see how this controlling sadistic behavior will guide your future from this moment on.

  38. Pathetic on September 17th, 2013 6:11 am

    What a pathetic excuse for a father. Lock him up and throw away the key!

  39. JC on September 17th, 2013 6:05 am

    there is a big difference between “discipline” and “abuse”….sounds like this guy is an abuser, who enjoyed and had fun with the abuse. If this guy is truly guilty of doing this and it sounds like he recorded his own evidence to prove that he is, then he needs to face serious punishment for the abuse.

  40. Duke of Wawbeek on September 17th, 2013 5:33 am

    The only bugs that need vacuuming up are in Fillinjim’s brain.

  41. Alfirewoman on September 17th, 2013 4:12 am

    Wth steve, what has happened to you since highschool??