A mom has shared heartbreaking footage of her toddler's reaction to receiving a phone call from his father in prison.
Maisie McDonald, 24, posted the clip on TikTok (@_mais22), where it has been viewed 1.3 million times in a matter of days. In it, her son, Teddie, clutches his teddy bear while standing in front of the TV. When an automated message announcing a call from a U.K. prison plays, Teddie immediately turns around to his mom, realizing it's his dad on the other end of the line.
McDonald, who lives in southeast England, told Newsweek that Teddie's father has been in prison since three days before their son was born.
"He's been in prison coming up two years...but [he's] soon to be released," she said.
The phone calls, which happen daily, are Teddie's only connection to his father. "Teddie doesn't understand where his dad is, as he's never been on the outside with him," McDonald said.
Referring to the text overlay on the clip, McDonald wrote that she can "never forgive" Teddie's father for this.
"A phone call means nothing at this young age. [Teddie turns 2 next month.] He doesn't understand who's on the phone nor where he's calling from, and they have no bond, which is what I won't forgive him for," she said.
McDonald's clip drew a mixed reaction online. Some offered the single mom sympathy and support. "My heart goes out to you," one user wrote.
A child of a prisoner weighed in: "Your son will be fine and your son will never forget how much you did in his dad's absence."
However, others judged McDonald's decision to allow Teddie to hear the call's automated introduction. But she explained that Teddie doesn't understand what the message is.
"People are saying I'm a bad mom, but I disagree as I've been my son's only parent and done it all on my own for nearly two years," she said.
McDonald told Newsweek that she will continue to be a solo parent until Teddie's father can prove he is a good father after he's released.
Despite the negativity, McDonald also said that she's received messages from other TikTok users praising her for maintaining the relationship between the father and son.
"You never know what someone has been through or going through from a 10-second video. The hate doesn't bother me, as I know what a good job I do as Teddie's mom and only parent, and I'll forever be proud of that," she said.
English (US) ·