Some stories simply capture the public's attention more than others and it certainly looks like this particular one is set to run and run.

Having hit the headlines in recent days, Darla Neugebauer, the owner of Maine eater, Marcy's Diner, has been defiant in the face of controversy.

Justifying her decision to scream at a toddler who was dining in her restaurant last weekend, Darla laid bare her feelings in an expletive-ridden Facebook post, written in response to a complaint made by the child's mother.

While Darla and members of the public have been more than happy to weigh in and air their views, the family at the centre of the scandal have remained conspicuously quiet...until now.

Writing for the Washington Post, Tara Carson recalled her experience in the diner and attempted to tell her side of the story, saying: "Making national news was the last thing we expected on our quiet summer getaway to Maine this week."
 


While acknowledging her 21-month-old child was becoming a little fractious after a 40 minute wait in the restaurant, Tara insisted her behaviour didn't warrant concern, explaining: "She wasn’t having a meltdown, so we decided to stay in our corner booth rather than go outside in the rain. In the noisy diner I didn’t see anyone looking at us or think we were causing a disturbance."

Chronicling her family's experience in the diner, Tara went on to detail the event which has provoked much discussion in recent days.

Having begun eating, Tara was stunned to find herself being screamed at by a woman she had not seen before, writing: "Out of nowhere, Marcy’s Diner owner Darla Neugebauer threw to-go containers at my husband and yelled, “Either she goes or you go!' She seemed so unprofessional that we didn’t take it seriously."

While astounded by Darla's unprovoked outburst, Tara continued to feed her child - a move which was clearly not welcomed by the diner's outraged owner.
 


With remarkable clarity, Tara recalled: "Neugebauer, now behind the grill, slammed her hands on the counter. She pointed at my baby’s face and screamed, “You need to shut the hell up!"

Challenging the woman's conduct, Tara reveals her husband said: "Are you serious? Are you really yelling at a toddler right now?"

Upon being told she was 'as serious as a heart attack', the Carson family left the diner and subsequently posted a complaint to the restaurant's Facebook page.

Disappointed that some of the subsequent coverage focussed on her parenting skills rather than Darla's unprofessional conduct, Tara wrote: "What got lost is that it’s never okay to yell at a baby, especially if you own a restaurant. You should care about providing good service to their patrons."

Explaining her stance, Tara simply says she expects a little empathy and kindness from business owners when a child doesn't behave accordingly.

Finishing her piece for the Washington Post, Tara simply wrote: "It’s compassion I try to model for my daughter. I wish others would do the same."

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