Sort of reminds me of two similar scenarios that happened to me within a few months of each other many years ago. One mother came up to me hauling her three or four year old child and scolded him, "If you don't behave this policeman will throw you in jail!" Then a few months later another woman came up to me with her little girl and said word to the effect," Here's a policeman. He is you friend and will help you if you need!" Then to my surprise, the child came up and gave me a hug...in the middle of a mall at a Police Week display I was manning. Seen by many.
I had words with both these mothers, one without the child present. You can figure out roughly what was said to whom.
This mother should get the "Mother of the Year" award for being most caring mom.
We need to instill positive attitudes in our kids when they are too young to get their minds polluted by the negative crap.
Positive reinforcement is far superior to negative consequences and this mom not only gets the picture, she puts the frame on it too