Biological mother of Union Co. boy found tied to porch speaks out

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — The biological mother of an 11-year-old, who investigators said was abused at the hands of a Department of Social Services supervisor is speaking out.

Maria, who did not want us to use her last name, wants the child's accused abuser to admit to her mistakes and take the punishment.

Wanda Sue Larson and her husband, Carolinas Medical Center nurse Dorian Harper, are accused of child abuse after an 11-year-old was found handcuffed to the porch of their Monroe home -- with a dead chicken tied around his neck.

Maria said she thought her son was in good hands. After all, he was in the care of a DSS worker who had a job that required her to keep kids safe. But she also said that there were signs something wasn't right.

Maria found out that deputies found her 11-year-old handcuffed by his ankle after Eyewitness News broke the story Friday night.

"'Who does that — that was my first words," Maria said. "Who does that?"

She realized the victim was her son. The state took custody of her child, when he was just 3 years old because of a neglect case against her. She admits she wasn't ready to be a parent back then and thought he was in good hands at the Monroe home with his new parents -- Larson and her husband Harper.

"I would never imagine she would let her kids sleep in feces or on the floor," Maria said.

She said she did question bruises.

"It's DSS against us," Maria said. "Who is going to believe us?"

And she knew Larson had had trouble with her child's behavior. But Maria said she doesn't know why Larson would keep a boy she supposedly felt was out of control at this home, allegedly punishing him in severe ways.

"I don't understand why it had to go to that extreme," Maria said. "You're a DSS worker, you have unlimited agencies at your hand. Why not put him in some kind of therapeutic home."

Maria wants Larson to be forced, like she was, to give up her kids. She also wants Larson's husband to face criminal consequences.

Read our story on the DSS worker charged with child abuse here.

WSOC