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Yes, it's me again. We prepped. It's the time for empowerment and I've got a message for you. Guess who. Guess who. Guess who's back. You gotta think about sexual health no matter what, when, when, or with who. Yeah, yeah. To all you lovers out there, ain't no judgment. This is your cue. Guess who. Guess who's back. It's time to talk about pre special prophylaxis, a part of HIV prevention. Talk to a healthcare provider and visit carefortheculture. To learn more.
Amy Robach
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T.J. Holmes
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T.J. Holmes
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T.J. Holmes
Springfest is happening now at Lowe's. Keep the spotlight on your yard with stay green premium 2 cubic foot mulch 5 bags for $10 plus. When you want more help indoors, get up to 40% off. Select major appliances that help you supercharge your chores. Our best lineup is here at Lowe's, valid through 422, while supplies last selection varies by location. See Lowes.com for details. Moldchopper excludes Alaska and Hawaii. Hey there folks. It is Wednesday, March 25, and a Utah mom has been charged with kidnapping. Who'd she take? An actual kid, according to police. Why? Because she wanted that kid to apologize to her kid with that. Welcome to this episode of Amy and tj. This is a case, robes, at least according to police, where the mom took the bullying of her child into her own hands. Despite what the headlines say, a lot of parents are going to be able to relate in some way, form or fashion to this story.
Amy Robach
Yes, at first it's shocking and you start to hear what police are alleging and you think, oh, my goodness, this, how could this mom do that? And then you hear her side of things from her attorney and then you start to imagine as a parent what you would do. And many people listening might actually have experienced this. If your child is being bullied and you don't feel like anyone is doing anything about it, and on top of it, let's say your child has disabilities because that is a part of this case.
T.J. Holmes
All right, so this case, we should say the charges only came this week for an incident that took place September of last year. But this is a 40 year old woman, Shannon to. How do you say your last.
Amy Robach
I believe Shannon to Fuga.
T.J. Holmes
Shannon to Fuga, who police have arrested and charged with kidnapping in one case of child abuse.
Amy Robach
I believe these are both felonies, child kidnapping and aggravated child abuse.
T.J. Holmes
All right, and this is all based on an incident, quite frankly, that is wild to hear about. Rose. But she took the kid, according to police, so she could force him to apologize to her kid. But the way this all played out, Rose and make it sound like she was. She was tracking him down in the neighborhood. It was. It's a whole caper.
Amy Robach
It sounds like, like, yes, like the beginning of a child predator story. So they say in the allegations that this mom drove around the neighborhood searching for her son's alleged bully to confront him. She eventually found, finds him, he's riding his bike, as a lot of 11 year olds do.
T.J. Holmes
Kid. Yeah.
Amy Robach
So he's 11 years old, he's riding his bike. According to police, she stopped her vehicle right in front of his bike and then made him get into her car, then drove him to her house without his parents knowledge, without his parents permission. Again, he's 11 years old. And then, yes, as you pointed out, forced him to apologize to her son. But she didn't stop there, according to police, she then threatened to have her husband beat him up and told him that he was lucky she did not run over his bike.
T.J. Holmes
This is crazy.
Amy Robach
She's angry.
T.J. Holmes
According to police. This is all According to the police report. Okay, now the next part is actually she went back to being a parent. Took him home.
Amy Robach
Yeah, she returned him home later that day right there to his parents. So she didn't say good luck, bike home. She, she drove him back to his home safely.
T.J. Holmes
Make sure you get here. Okay, that part of the story, for whatever reason as a parent and we've all done this back and forth with kids and friends to make sure the kid gets home. We kidnapped you, now we're going to make sure you get home safely. That part of it just sounds wild.
Amy Robach
Yes. And so now according to the complaint, the, the boy, this 11 year old has suffered significantly. They say he suffered serious emotional dist. High anxiety. They say he is significantly altered his daily routine because of this incident. That this is something that now has had a lasting emotional effect on him. That he has been basically traumatized because of this.
T.J. Holmes
And I didn't see. Can I'll ask you if you saw it somewhere in the reading, how long he was.
Amy Robach
Yeah, no, I don't know how many hours he was held captive because this
T.J. Holmes
could have been half hour, it could have been several hours. Depending on what the time was. This could be a much more horrible story. I mean, was he down in a basement for three hours or something?
Amy Robach
I mean, I'm trying to imagine the exchange. Like how do you force a child? I guess he's 11, so he probably felt intimidated just by the fact that it was a grown up.
T.J. Holmes
Yes.
Amy Robach
But I mean, and just I don't know what, what came out of that. Like making someone apologize obviously doesn't make them actually feel sorry for what they did or even technically admit that they did it because they're under duress. And I just wonder how traumatizing that was for her own son. And now he has to go back to school after all of this occurred. I just. There's a lot of problems with this. And yes, the 11 year old boy's emotional state is at issue and certainly her own child's emotional state. I wonder if she regrets it or if she thinks, hell yeah, I'd do it again.
T.J. Holmes
Well, you know, you mentioned the emotional state of both kids and you know what, we should probably focus as well on the emotional state of the parent. There is a position we have all been in as parents where your kid is going through something at school and you're helpless to get them out of it. And sometimes that's relationships with other kids. They just got to work their way through it. And sometimes it's bullying, it's A little more serious. And sometimes you would even tell. I'm sure you've told your kid, hey, you got to stand up to your bully. Hey, I'm not going to go to school and defend you. You got to work through this. But there's another level where a parent gets emotional and upset. Robes. And that is if they think. Think their child is going through something at school and the school isn't doing anything about it, that will set a parent off. I've brought this to your attention. My kid is being bullied. My kid is being picked, whatever it may be. And you get to the end of your rope to where? What can I do? I can't go beat up a kid. I can't do this. What options do you have other than you just want to snatch a kid and say, apologize to my child right now. You don't kidnap the kid to do it. But we've kind of all been in that position before where we've forced our own kid to go. So say you apologize right now. It feels like that kind of thing. It's extreme, obviously, kidnapping, but, geez, I think a lot of parents will look at that and go, yeah, I've been that kind of frustrated and desperate. And we don't know which of her kids. Right. But she said one of the kids, or maybe more than one, has disabilities, Correct? Correct. She's trying to protect her kid and not saying she's guilty of anything. But a lot of parents can look at this and go, yeah, I think
Amy Robach
a lot of parents can absolutely relate to the feeling and the emotion behind what she did. But maybe stop short of understanding, actually following through. We can have the emotions. We can understand the emotions. It's the actions that are the problem that you chose to take now. All. Yes, because it is actually, if that's what happened. Now, you mentioned it was interesting what you said, because it actually sounds a lot like what we're hearing from Shannon's attorney now, by the way, she was reportedly a crossing guard for Provo City at the time of the incident, to the point where this investigation had to actually go to a different police jurisdiction. It couldn't go to the Provo City department because she worked for them. But the latest statement out of there is Shannon is no longer an employee of Provo City. So it looks like she lost her position.
T.J. Holmes
Crossing guard.
Amy Robach
As a crossing guard protects children. Yes. I thought that was interesting. She is a. See, she knows these kids. She knows these kids. She's a crossing guard for Provost City. Okay, here's the statement from her attorney. We respectfully deny the allegations made in the charging document filed this week. We believe these allegations stem from a troubled child and are not accurate. We look forward to presenting evidence to the state regarding repeat challenges of our clients children have faced at certain school, including the elementary school administration's ongoing efforts to address bullying and maintain a safe environment. It is unfortunate that we find ourselves in a position where we must defend the safety of our children and well being. The filing of these allegations are a symptom of our society's failings and an erosion of traditional family values where children were once held accountable by their own parents. We remain committed to working through the legal process and will continue to seek a just resolution based on facts and evidence.
T.J. Holmes
How'd you. How'd you read that?
Amy Robach
He. Look, it's a defense of saying, hey. And I do think there is a point that, yes, we don't see parents holding their children accountable. We defend and deflect and say and point fingers. There was a time when, yes, if you got in trouble at school, you got in more trouble when you got home. Now when you get in trouble at school, parents call the school and say, my kid said he didn't do it. He's not staying at detention. However that all may be true. It. It wouldn't defend what happened. But she's saying it didn't happen the way this kid said it did.
T.J. Holmes
The statement reads as, yep, she did it and we are going to justify. Seems like they are setting this thing up where they're pointing the fingers that you all drove her to this by not taking care of her children, by not making sure they were safe. We look forward to presenting evidence regarding repeated challenges. Who cares what. That's not evidence has nothing to do with whether or not she kidnapped a kid. You're presenting a different case that got nothing to do with nothing. Now, it could have an impact on a potential sentencing. Maybe jury going, yeah, or poor mom kind of a thing. But it sounds like they are setting up a situation here where she's the victim and was driven to this by you all's lack of care of her kids.
Amy Robach
Very interesting. All right, when we come back, we're going to tell you what a local news reporter said Shannon told her about these incidents that were referenced basically by her attorney and what she is facing if she is found guilty of these charges.
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Yes, it's me again. We prepped. It's the time for empowerment. And I've got a message for you. You gotta think about sexual health no matter what. We're Winner with who? Yeah, yeah. To all you lovers out there, ain't no judgment. This is your cue. Guess who. Guess who's better. It's time to talk about pre special prophylaxis, a part of HIV prevention. Talk to a healthcare provider and visit carefortheculture.com to learn more.
Bowen Yang
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T.J. Holmes
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Bowen Yang
Hi, I'm Dr. Jake Goodman and I'm the host of beyond the Script, a podcast where I sit down with pharmacists to answer all those health questions that you forget or maybe are too embarrassed to ask when you're at the pharmacy counter. In this episode, all about pediatric health, Heidi Martinez, a CVS pharmacist from Edinburgh, Texas, talks about how parents can help manage their kids fever.
Amy Robach
When it comes to fevers, it would just depend on the child's behavior as well as the number that the thermometer is kicking back. If the child is behaving normally and they're not having any obstruction to their lifestyle that they usually lead, then maybe a fever reducer might not be necessary. If you see that later on in the day it progresses to mom, dad, I'm not feeling well, I need to lay down and you know that's not normal for your child. Then it might be time to give them a medication for a fever.
Bowen Yang
Hear the full conversation, including so much great advice for parents when it comes to keeping their kids healthy on beyond the Script, a podcast from CVS Pharmacy. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
T.J. Holmes
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Amy Robach
Welcome back everyone to this episode of Amy and tj. We are talking about a wild story out of Utah. We've had quite a few of them lately, I must say we have been covering Utah. I feel like non stop between what's going on with Taylor, Frankie, Paul and then of course you had the au pair affair murder trial. Was that.
T.J. Holmes
No, no.
Amy Robach
Sorry. I'm okay. That's a funny. It's Corey Richards, the Corey Richards grief author poisoned husband murder trial and now we've got a Utah mom who has been charged with kidnapping and aggravated child abuse. Police say that she went out and snatched her son's alleged bully, forced him to apologize, threatened him with violence, then returned him home safely. But she is charged and she told a local news reporter off camera and they put this out there on their website that this boy that she targeted, this 11 year old boy had a history of bullying her children, not just her son. And she said some of them have disabilities. And when she took this to the school, little to nothing was done. So she expressed her frustration that this has been an ongoing situation, that it's not just one of her children involved, but multiple of her children involved and that some of them have disabilities and that this 11 year old has been a constant source of pain for her children.
T.J. Holmes
I don't know what. Obviously this isn't the way like these are allegations. She's innocent until proven guilty. No one would advocate that this was the way to handle it. Nobody will ever say yes, I see what she was doing. Yes, damn right nobody's gonna do that. Even if we can all relate to how she was feeling, nobody's gonna be on her side.
Amy Robach
Exactly.
T.J. Holmes
Comes to this particular action. Robes, the first question I had, as you were going through that was and think about this. Did she ever try to speak to the other kid's parents?
Amy Robach
I just thought about that too.
T.J. Holmes
Isn't that the first move?
Amy Robach
Yes, you'd think that that would be the first move. And look I we don't know we haven't heard if that's true or not. But that would be an. An obvious reaction once you go to the school and you can't get resolution I'd actually go to the parent first and then the school. But it seems like you would try to involve them.
T.J. Holmes
She seemed to know enough about the kids. She knew what neighborhood to drive around in looking for him.
Amy Robach
And the attorney did reference bas that parents aren't doing what they should aren't holding their children accountable. So it almost seems as though in that statement it was implied that she did try to get the parents involved and that they chose to do nothing about it.
T.J. Holmes
So she planned a premeditated crime according to them driving around the neighborhood looking for a kid.
Amy Robach
Look, you know she's a school crossing guard. She knows that's probably where how she knows where they all live.
T.J. Holmes
She knows everybody, right?
Amy Robach
Yeah. She knows these kids.
T.J. Holmes
Oh my goodness and to your I get we grew up in a different place and we grew up in a different time right in the South Midwest where we did our growing up. I I to this day robes I can it's the street over from Church Street Where I grew up, another family lived and this woman gave me a whooping outside of my parents. My parents are still at work.
Amy Robach
The idea of that now she'd be in prison.
T.J. Holmes
She gave me a whooping and I couldn't wait for my parents to get home so I could tell on her. They embraced her and like what did he do?
Amy Robach
That was what we not like that
T.J. Holmes
anymore Loud not just your parents holding you accountable. The neighborhood parents that aren't even yours I remember that whooping to this day.
Amy Robach
What'd you do? Is what I want to know.
T.J. Holmes
Can't remember I did There was almost always something convenient but that idea robes to look at this now. No, I I don't know if she didn't kidnap me at the time but
Amy Robach
I bet you smarted off to her.
T.J. Holmes
No, I was very polite. I was a respectful kid. I absolutely was. I what now I would challenge you that was a. I was an annoying kid, but I wasn't. I wasn't a smart Alex but to this type of thing now to where she feels like no one the school and the parents aren't holding this kid Accountable. So what can I do? I'll hold them accountable.
Amy Robach
She had to know that that was going to come with consequences. And speaking of that, there is a hearing scheduled for April 30th. All eyes will be on that Utah courtroom, but she is free until then. It's not as if she's behind the bar. Behind bars, but behind the bar, man,
T.J. Holmes
we go out too much.
Amy Robach
Behind bars she is. This was interesting. So two counts of second degree felonies. I read a story where the prosecutors had the option to actually bring first degree felon because the charges most often come with a first degree count. But they just decided, given the circumstances and that might speak to the bullying that her children faced, they might have decided at that point, just considering all the information they have, to make it a little bit less. They said that they felt like that was more in line with what justice would require. So I thought that was cool. So two counts of second degree felonies, but each one carries a sentence of one to 15 years in prison, a ten thousand dollar fine or both. So this is serious. And if she were to be found guilty of secondary felonies, there's still felonies. And that comes with a whole lot of restrictions. And that's a lifelong sentence in a lot of ways.
T.J. Holmes
I mean it's no matter what her, what her kids went through, no matter how upset she was, I mean, we have to take it on its face. If these allegations are true, you can't snatch a kid off the street.
Amy Robach
No.
T.J. Holmes
And there have to take them to your house.
Amy Robach
There have to be consequences.
T.J. Holmes
There has to be for that one.
Amy Robach
Absolutely. And well, we will of course stay on top of this story, but we always appreciate you listening to us. Everyone, I'm Amy Robach alongside T.J. holmes. We will talk to you soon.
T.J. Holmes
This is Julian Edelman from Games With Names. I want to take a second to talk about something that's personal to me. I've had the privilege of working closely with Robert Kraft for a long time. And one thing I've always respected is how seriously he takes up standing up to hate. As a Jewish athlete, my identity is something I am proud of. But I also know what it feels like to be singled out for it. That's why this new commercial for the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate that aired during the big game really hit home. It's about showing up for someone when they're targeted, even if you don't have the perfect words. And sometimes standing next to someone is enough. And you can show support by sharing the Blue Square
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yes, it's me again. We prepped. Wow, oh wow, oh wow. It's the time for empowerment and I've got a message for you. Guess who, guess who, Guess who's back. You gotta think about sexual health no matter what, when or with who. Yeah, yeah. To all your lovers I out there ain't no judgment. This is your cue. Guess who, guess who's back. It's time to talk about pre special prophylaxis, a part of HIV prevention. Talk to a healthcare provider and visit carefortheculture.com to learn more.
Bowen Yang
This is Bowen Yang from Lost Culture Resource with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. We all know the feeling when life gets really busy. Taking care of yourself can feel imposs. That's why Premier Protein shakes are my go to. They have 30 grams of protein, 160 calories, no added sugar, and they taste amazing. So they're a healthy choice you'll actually want to make. It's not just for fitness, it's for getting after life. The 30 grams of protein gives you the fuel you need. It's not just for intense gym sessions, it's just for life. With the wide variety of flavors from cafe latte to cake batter, it never feels boring. There's a flavor for everyone. I personally love the peaches and cream, but maybe you're a root beer floater, cinnamon roll kind of person. Premier Protein empowers me to say yes to more. Find your favorite flavor@premierprotein.com that's P R E M I E R protein.com or at Amazon, Walmart and other major retailers
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Amy Robach
This is an iHeart podcast.
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Guaranteed Human.
This episode centers on a shocking and emotionally complex case out of Utah, where a mother, Shannon Tofuga, has been charged with kidnapping and aggravated child abuse. According to police, Tofuga forcibly took her child's alleged bully—an 11-year-old boy—and brought him to her home to apologize to her own child, who reportedly has disabilities. Amy and T.J. explore the facts, discuss parental frustrations with bullying, and reflect on how this incident touches on broader social issues around school discipline, accountability, and family values.
Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes dissect the Utah kidnapping case with equal measures of journalistic rigor and personal reflection. They highlight the deep-rooted frustrations parents face when their kids encounter relentless bullying and institutions seem powerless or unwilling to help. Despite their sympathy for Tofuga’s desperation, both emphasize that her alleged actions crossed unmistakable boundaries. They point out the shift from community-based discipline to today’s legal strictness and acknowledge how the case serves as a flashpoint for debates about parenting, accountability, and how society manages childhood conflict. The episode ends with anticipation for the outcome of the upcoming hearing and a reminder of the broader issues at play.