8 year old Joseph Beebe was beaten to death with a bamboo rod by his adoptive mother, Edith Beebe. Joseph was one of six special needs children adopted by Edith and her husband Brian; all were homeschooled. The Beebes were deeply religious and believed that they must discipline their children with what they called a “holy rod.” All of the children were beaten with the rod, and were on occasion locked in a room without food or water and dragged about by their hair. When Joseph died, his body was covered with severe bruises. Edith Beebe was convicted and sentenced to 75 years in prison.
Date: March 17, 2000
Location: Tarkington Prairie, Texas
| Documents: | Date: |
| Couple investigated in death of son, 8 | 2000-03-21 |
| Mother admits using `holy rod’ on kids | 2000-04-05 |
| Mother admits using `holy rod’ on kids / Death of 8-year-old under investigation | 2000-04-05 |
| Disabled boy’s death ruled homicide / `Holy rod’ used for discipline | 2000-04-14 |
| Couple Charged With Child’s Death | 2000-05-10 |
| Cleveland couple lose parental rights to five Authorities move disabled children after 6th one dies | 2001-03-03 |
| WHO’S TO BLAME FOR Joseph’s DEATH? | 2001-11-11 |
| An angel will mark the spot | 2001-11-17 |
| Adoption system under fire in child’s death | 2003-01-26 |
| Mother Sentenced For Killing Child | 2003-01-30 |
| Mother To Be Sentenced For Killing Child | 2003-01-30 |
| Nigeria case furthers scrutiny of Texas’ Child Protective Services | 2004-08-29 |
| TROUBLING INCIDENTS IN HOME-SCHOOL SETTINGS | 2004-11-17 |
| Obituary for Stephen Ryan Peterson (possibly aka Jared Beebe) [private note] | 2010-11-18 |
