McPherson, Kansas, is a small town where news travels quickly. It’s the kind of place where neighbors look out for each other, particularly when it comes to kids. When the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office arrested a local firefighter and elementary school teacher, the news shocked the community. Brady Burr, 26, and his girlfriend, 36-year-old Abby Bradstreet, allegedly picked up Burr’s young daughter and son from their mother on December 7, 2025. What should have been a day of holiday fun and decorating the tree turned into a nightmare for the little girl, who was allegedly physically abused for wetting her pants.
According to court documents reviewed by CafeMom, Burr and Bradstreet picked up the children from a home in Salina, Kansas, around 10 a.m. and returned around 7 p.m. Upon arrival at home, Burr reportedly told the children’s mother the little girl had peed on herself and might have a rash on her bottom from sitting in wet clothes. What the mother discovered was far worse. The child reportedly had bruises and marks on her bottom that appeared after her dad spanked her with a wooden spoon, Law & Crime reported.
The mom noticed the marks while getting her dressed for bed, per the court documents. As she took off the child’s boots, she also noticed her feet were very cold and almost “purple.” The little girl told her mom Bradstreet made her stand outside on the porch in her underwear while the rest of the family decorated the Christmas tree because she “didn’t deserve” to participate. She also had to eat dinner while sitting in a bathtub.
KAKE reported it was between 28 degrees and 30 degrees that day.
Sadly, for these children, this doesn’t sound like an isolated incident. According to the court documents, Burr’s son told investigators he’d been hit with a spoon by both Burr and Bradstreet for not eating his peaches. Police arrested Burr on one count of child abuse and one count of endangering a child. Bradstreet faces a charge of child abuse and attempted aggravated endangering a child.
As word of the pair’s arrest began to circulate online, the community expressed its outrage. Many went to the McPherson Fire Department’s Facebook page to question officials on recent posts.
“How can you expect the public to feel safe and trust the fire department to help them when you employ known child abuser(s)?” someone asked. “I really would think this goes against serve and protect. You really think this man would put his life on the line to save a child?”
“Public safe and can’t even fire a child abuser! WHAT A SHAME !!!!” another person commented.
The fire department responded but did not provide details. “Public safety and community trust are very important to our organization. In accordance with employment standards, we will NOT comment on personnel matters,” the department wrote in the comments section.
Per KAKE, Bradstreet, who teaches at Washington Elementary and serves as the girls’ swim team head coach, is on administrative leave pending an investigation.
After their arrests, both Burr and Bradstreet posted bond. They’re both due in court on January 13.
If they really hurt this little girl the way the children claim, someone should make them stand out on the porch in freezing weather in nothing but their wet underwear. If adults could take a deep breath and put themselves in a defenseless child’s place, perhaps they’d make better decisions. When they don’t, they deserve the harshest punishment the law allows.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
